“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” — Anne Lamott
Parenting often feels like running ten tabs at once.
Homework. Emotions. Schedules. Snacks. Repeat.
Then your child melts down.
And so do you, quietly, inside.
Conscious parenting invites a pause.
Not a fix. Not a lecture. A pause.
Unplug.
When a child is stressed, they are not thinking clearly.
Neither are we.
Brains go into survival mode.
Logic and wisdom leaves the building.
This is where Lamott’s wisdom shines.
Step back. Breathe. Wait.
You can say, “Let’s take a minute.”
Not as a punishment. As a reset.
Sit together.
Or sit apart.
Drink water.
Look out a window.
Pet the dog if available. Dogs are excellent co-therapists.
The goal is simple.
Calm the nervous system.
When calm returns, connection returns.
And connection solves more than control ever will.
Conscious parenting is not about being perfect.
It is about being aware.
Notice your own stress rising.
Your tight jaw. Your fast words.
That urge to “fix this now.”
That is your cue.
Unplug yourself first.
A regulated parent can guide a child.
A frazzled parent can only escalate the scene.
The magic is small.
But powerful.
A few minutes of pause can prevent hours of conflict.
Or at least reduce the volume.
Will this always work?
No. Children are wonderfully unpredictable.
But most of the time, it helps.
And sometimes, it even makes you look like a calm, wise parent.
Enjoy those moments. They are rare and glorious.
So next time stress hits, try less doing.
More unplugging.
You might find everything works a little better.
Including you.
