John Cowan - Overactive Grump Gland - Life | Well Being - Coast FM

Coast

ON DEMAND

Catch up on shows with The Coast On Demand

AUDIO
VIDEO

SITE SEARCH

FOLLOW US ON

John Cowan - Overactive Grump Gland

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 6:00 AM

I must have an overactive grump gland, because when my kids annoy me my first response is to give them the Rottweiler response: snarling and barking. But my anger must be broken or something, because it never delivers the results I want it to. Very seldom, after telling my kids off, do they come back to me and say, “Thank you for that telling off. That’s just what we needed to get back on to the right path.” I use anger in my voice, then it doesn’t matter how right I am and how wrong they are, they don’t get the point. They don’t hear my words, they will just feel my heat. Sometimes it will bring out the fight in them, other times it will crush them down; either way, the relationship is dented and the lesson has been lost.

Years ago, when I worked at a hospital, I ran down a corridor and collided with a nurse. “Only run for fire and haemorrhages!” she scolded me. What wise advice! I’ve tried to remember that. If I discover the kids doing something that really gets up my nose, I ask myself “Is there smoke? Is there blood? No? Then I don’t have to respond immediately.” I know that if I respond in the first roaring surge of anger, I’ll regret it. I take a step back, take a few deep breaths, and then try and respond more creatively. I’ve learnt to use phrases like, “Pop down to your bedroom kids – you might be safer there.” Or, “Run around the house and then come back and talk to me.” If they’ve really read my mood right, they don’t just run around the house… they just keep running! The pause gives me a chance to get a sense of perspective and I can tackle the problem more creatively.

One final thing about anger – getting a grip on mine is helping me to coach my kids to handle theirs. They got their temper from my genes, but hopefully they will get the controls for it from my example. I’ll be so mad at them if they don’t.