Recently, while going through the Parenting From The Heart course, Natalie Kim on Instagram (@realfoodsmom) made this comment about an interaction she had with her son and daughter. It touched our hearts and she gave us permission to share it with you.

“Protect me Mama”

A couple of weeks ago the kids and I were making waffles together for breakfast. We were measuring everything from scratch and I’d decided to double the recipe, so it took us about an hour from start to finish to get the batter done ? Atlas was pretty messy so I gave him a couple of Kleenex wet wipes to clean himself, and before I could stop him, he squeezed both wet wipes over the bowl and into the batter ? A LOT OF SCENTED LIQUID POURED OUT?- I PANICKED (also, I was hungry and hadn’t had my coffee) and instead of scooping out some of the “affected batter,” lol, I reacted by giving him a sharp tap on the arm and raising my voice. I hadn’t raised my voice like that in weeks since starting the @parentingfromtheheart class and learning NEW ways of managing “reactions,” (both for myself and the kids). Atlas, of course, started crying and Olive immediately said: “mom, remember what you’re learning in your class!” ??‍♀️

UGH! I felt so mad at myself for just REACTING. I instantly switched gears and said to Atlas: “I’m sorry I hit your arm and got mad, that wasn’t nice, is there something I can do to make it better?” He stopped crying, gave me a hug, and in the sweetest most tiniest voice said: “Protect me Mama.” ???— What I interpreted as a “corrective tap” he interpreted as a “loss of connection and trust.” ?