Parenting style can help you be more patient. In order to be more patient, you can also work on eliminating the things that trigger your frustration. Think about a typical day and make a list of times or situations that typically frustrate you. My list would include not listening/ignoring me, taking forever to get in/out of the car, and whining.
Now you have to look at each situation and try to find a way to avoid it. To avoid having them ignore me, I make them stop and listen- this requires me to stop and focus on them. I try not to say too much, I keep it short and sweet. Then I make them repeat what I said. Once they caught on that they will have to repeat it, they started listening better the next times.
Getting in/out of the car is a killer! They don’t have any urgency, and it’s hard to remember that no urgency is part of being a kid. I’ve made the rule in our car that you can’t talk until you’re buckled. It may sound harsh, but you’d be surprised at how fast they can move! I also think it’s a good lesson to teach them about priorities. Tell me about the fluffy unicorn AFTER you buckle.
Whining is the one that will do us all in. I haven’t yet found a way that works for us, but some suggestions have been: ignore, make a rule that you can’t hear whining, and make it a chore that will receive a sticker for no whining. Any whining tips?
Whining is also the ONE thing that gets me. Our solution? When a child is offered, say…vanilla ice cream after dinner, and she whines and says, “Buuuuuut…I wanted CHOColaaaate ice creeeeeam…” Then she gets NONE. I just simply say, “Whining gets you nothing.” There is no battle back and forth. It just is a no if there is whining. 🙂