We’ve all been there.
The kids do something they’re not supposed to—for the eighth time today. Maybe they drop their cup of milk on the floor after you just told them to leave it on the table. Maybe they grabbed the tablet or remote again after you said no. You feel your temperature rising. You’re ready to yell.
But before you blow a gasket, take a moment to ask:
What is getting angry going to solve?
And maybe more importantly:
Why do they keep doing it, even after you’ve told them not to?
Kids and Screens—Wonder Where They Learned That?
Let’s be honest: if your kid spends too much time on screens, it probably didn’t come out of nowhere.
- Who gave them that tablet in the first place?
- Who leaves it where they can reach it?
- Who’s sitting on the couch scrolling their phone for 45 minutes “just to decompress”?
Kids are giant sponges. They copy everything—especially the stuff we wish they wouldn’t.
If they see you glued to a screen all day, guess what they’re going to want to do? If they watch you go straight to the couch after work and turn on the TV, that becomes the default evening rhythm.
They don’t just listen to what you say. They mirror what you do.
The Milk Incident (Again)
You hear the splash.
You see the mess.
And somehow, the milk defies the laws of gravity—hitting corners of the room you didn’t know existed.
Your whole body wants to snap. This is the fourth time today. But pause here.
That anger is valid. You’re tired. You’re overwhelmed. And this is frustrating.
But now what?
- Do you yell?
- Take the cup away?
- Threaten “no more milk ever again”?
Or… do you take a breath?
Because here’s the truth: your child is probably two to four years old. They’re still learning all the tiny things we take for granted—cause and effect, balance, boundaries, consequences. Even how to carry a cup.
Model the Behavior You Want to See
It’s not just about milk or screens.
It’s about how you react.
It’s about whether you show them what calm looks like—even when you don’t feel calm.
Discipline isn’t about punishment.
It’s about teaching.
And the best way to teach is by example.
Final Thought
Next time your child does something that pushes your buttons, ask yourself:
- Is this something I do myself?
- How do I react in front of them?
- What would I want them to do in this situation?
We all lose our cool sometimes—that’s normal. But if you want your child to grow into someone who’s respectful, calm, and self-aware, you’ve got to show them what that looks like.
Discipline yourself before you discipline your child.