Megan Whitesides Coaching

 The Complaint Box: A Simple Way to Have Less Complaining at Home There are times when I can handle my child’s complaints with patience and calm. And then there are those other times … You know the ones when all your ears hear is whining, complaining, and negativity. Your patience is gone. Your mood is already thin. And every complaint feels like it’s drilling into your brain. That’s exactly when the Complaint Box is one of the best tools I’ve found. What Is a Complaint Box? A complaint box is exactly what it sounds like: a box where your child can “submit” their complaints instead of repeating them out loud. Here’s how it works: If your child starts complaining, instead of arguing, correcting, or shutting them down, you calmly say: “Put it in the complaint box.” Then they write down what they’re upset about and drop it inside. You read it later when you’re in a better mood and can respond more calmly. Why It Works So Well (Especially for Older Kids) I’ve been doing this ...

I don't remember where I read this quote so long ago, but it's been on my mind recently.   “Moms who don’t listen will end up with kids who have nothing to say.” Not because moms don’t care — but because most of us are busy, tired, and juggling a million things at once. We hear our kids all day long. But listening is different. Here are a few simple ways to become a better listener — and what they can look like in everyday life. 1. Listen to listen — not to respond When our kids talk, our instinct is often to fix, correct, or defend ourselves. But listening means staying curious instead of reactive. If your child says, “You never play with me,” instead of responding with, “That’s not true,” try pausing and saying, “It sounds like you wish we had more time together.” No fixing. No arguing. Just listening. 2. Listen without judging Kids shut down quickly when they feel judged. Eye rolls, sighs, or minimizing their feelings can teach them it’s safer not to talk. If your child s...