Anna sat at the kitchen table, her expression calm but firm. Her young daughter, Lily, stood across from her, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, eyes cast downward. Moments ago, Lily had thrown a tantrum after being told she couldn’t have candy before dinner. She had yelled, stomped, and even tossed her toys in frustration.
Anna waited until the storm passed, then called Lily over. “We need to talk,” she said gently. Lily hesitated but approached. Anna knelt to her level. “I know you were upset, but throwing things isn’t how we handle anger,” she explained.
Lily sniffled. “I just wanted one piece.”
“I understand,” Anna replied. “But there are rules for a reason. It’s not about punishment—it’s about learning how to express your feelings in a better way.”
Instead of shouting back, Anna kept her tone low and steady. She gave Lily a time-out to calm down and think about her actions. Afterward, she encouraged Lily to talk about how she felt. They practiced using words like “frustrated” and “disappointed” to describe emotions. Then, they came up with better ways to react next time—like taking deep breaths or asking for help.
Anna emphasized that mistakes happen and that discipline means guidance, not anger. She hugged Lily tightly, assuring her she was loved. “I’m proud of you for listening,” she whispered.
