Being there for your kids - Hormones- The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Episode Date: December 9, 2018

Yep. We all have hormones. While teenage girls get all the bad press, boys, girls, men, and women all have hormones. They help regulate our bodies and prepare us for change, both physically and emotionally. When raging hormones are evident, use your active listening to lower the emotional fever and then problem solve together

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Moments. Let's talk for a bit about the emotional side of hormones. Get out, you little brat. Emily screamed at her little sister. All Grace had done was crack the bathroom door to see if it was in use. She had to pee really badly. Emily continued, Can I ever get a little privacy? Grace dissolved into tears. With compassionate active listening and a few hugs, Mom came to the rescue for Grace.

Many parents in these circumstances would have defended the younger daughter by using power and control over the older daughter. Emily, don't talk to Grace like that. You see that you've upset her? Of course, while settling the issue, Mom's comments would have fueled continued sibling rivalry and put a few more rows in the brick wall between her and Emily. A powerful, teachable moment would have been lost.

Thankfully, Mom responded to Grace's distress by active listening her feelings. When she saw her daughter's emotional fever subside, Mom asked, You know, Grace, I can tell you. you why Emily barked at you if you want. Grace was still pouting and added, It's because she's such a jerk. After again consoling with active listening, Mom launched into the talk with Grace. She noted that Emily was in the bathroom at the moment because she was having her menstrual period and needed to take care of it. Rather than launch fully into topics of

human sexuality, Mom simply addressed the questions Grace asked. She particularly talked about the emotional side of hormones and how body changes can lead to moodiness, anger, and outbursts. While not an excuse for bad behavior, Mom added that it helps to explain it. Grace calmed as she understood more. She grew quiet while thinking and then added, I wish I was a boy so I wouldn't have to deal with hormones. Mom cautioned, oh no, you don't. You're just a beautiful little girl. Boys have hormones too, you know. They just come out in different ways, like being competitive and playing sports, boasting about how much they weigh, how much weight they can bench press and trash talking.

The emotional side of hormones is just God's way of getting us ready for adulthood and learning how to take care of ourselves. Mom turned what could have been a crisis into a teachable moment. I'm Dr. John Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist and Christian author, and this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, building blocks of Christian parenting, is available online at AmazonBooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at TMC. INC.com.