I am woman, hear me roar!
Welcome to the September Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting Through Play
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared how challenging discipline situations can be met with play. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
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This month’s Carnival of Natural parenting theme was simple for me to write about. More often than not I find myself struggling for inspiration about what to write, but today’s came straight to me!
I’m absolutely an advocate for ‘play’ or more realistically, laughter.
Laughter can diffuse most situations; it’s rare laughter is totally inappropriate…
If Mr Green is getting stressed by something I can usually help him laugh at himself. I’m certainly great at laughing at myself and what more natural state for children to be in, than one of joy and laughter?
I have to admit though, I have a short fuse. It doesn’t take much to make me irritable or cross and I can get angry pretty quickly. In the past I have shouted, yelled and stomped around like a moody teenager, but now I prefer to roar.
You might be aware that primal screaming is a great way to release tension and clear energetic blockages. While screaming isn’t really my thing, Little Miss Green and I have perfected the art of roaring together.
I’m a bit of a mother lion anyway – if anyone threatens my cub there’s a price to pay, so what better way to release anger, express myself and have a giggle than roaring?
Now Little Miss Green and I can diffuse our own situations where we tend to get locked into arguing or shouting with a good roaring session. We look each other in the eye, put our hands on our knees, crouch down and roar as loudly as we can…
After a few good roars we are in a fit of giggles, rolling around on the floor cuddling and all the arguments have disappeared.
Its simple and effective. Goodness knows what the neighbours think but it works for us…
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Visit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
- On being a more playful parent — Isil at Smiling like Sunshine shares how the Playful Parenting book impacted her.
- Parenting a toddler through play — Alicia at I Found My Feet lists some examples of how she uses play to parent through everyday tasks and challenges.
- Splashing in Puddles — Abbie at Farmer’s Daughter shares how she learned to get dirty and have fun with her little boy.
- Say Please — Cassie at There’s a Pickle in My Life explains how they taught their son manners by “play,” showing that actions speak louder than words.
- No Nanny Needed — Laura at Our Messy Messy Life wishes parenting through play was her only responsibility during the day.
- I’ll Run Away With Gypsies — Nikalee at Spotted Pandemonium maneuvers physical and emotional obstacles while spinning playful tales, jumping through hoops, and inspiring the kids to clean the living room.
- A Promise To My Daughter — Lindsey at An Unschooling Adventure writes a poem for her daughter promising to use play instead of anger when facing difficult situations.
- Parenting Through Play — Not Always Easy But Always Rewarding — Amy at Peace4Parents discusses how play hasn’t always come easily to her, the power of appreciative observation, and how her family learns together through play.
- Imagination Plays a Role in Our Parenting — Tree at Mom Grooves shares how parents can use play to set the foundation for communication and understanding.
- A Box of Crayons — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction talks about how a simple box of crayons has become a wonderful parenting and teaching tool.
- The Essential Art of Play — Ana at Pandamoly shares some of her favorite lessons available for young ones through play.
- The Art of Distraction — Amanda at Let’s Take the Metro shares a list of distracting alternatives to harsh punishments in tough parenting situations.
- Grace and Courtesy Games at Home or School — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now has ideas for grace and courtesy games that help you encourage courteous behavior without reprimanding your child.
- I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant.
- Getting Cooperation Through Play — Amyables at Toddler In Tow talks about respecting the worldview of a preschooler by using play to encourage connection and cooperation.
- Playful Parenting = Extra Energy?? — Momma Jorje didn’t think she had the energy for playful parenting. See what she was surprised to learn…
- Dance Party Parenting — Laura from A Pug in the Kitchen learned how to be the parent her children need through play.
- Wrestling Saved My Life — Wrestling is as vital to her son’s well-being as babywearing once was, finds Hannah at Wild Parenting.
- Parenting through play — By playing with her children, Tara from MUMmedia is given amazing opportunites to teach, train and equip her children for life.
- Parenting Through Play Starts in Infancy — In a guest post at Natural Parents Network, Issa from LoveLiveGrow shares that though she only has a 3-month-old, playful parenting has already started.
- Play Before Sleep — Adrienne at Mommying My Way writes about how playing and singing with her son before he falls asleep helps calm her frustrations that tend to arise at night.
- Playful Parenting — Or 5 Lessons My Son Has Taught Me About Parenting Through Play — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama has learned to be a better parent by following her toddler’s lead in play.
- Hurry up! Hurry up! I mean it! Quack, quack, quack! — Kellie at Our Mindful Life leads a trail of ducklings
- On the Road: Learning to Play — Seonaid at The Practical Dilettante discovers her inner adult through a summer of playing with her children.
- Preventing Tantrums Through Play — Gaby at Tmuffin explains how she keeps her household happy by not taking things too seriously.
- Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting Through Play — Lily, aka Witch Mom, redirects unwanted behavior in a toddler using games and play.
- Exaggerating for effect — Lauren at Hobo Mama has learned how to ham it up.
- Handling Big Emotions with Role Playing — Zoie at TouchstoneZ plays at tempering her parental frustrations while helping her children handle some big emotions
- How To Herd Toddlers by Talking Pictorially — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama demonstrates how talking in pictures is a playful way to engage your young child in transitioning from one activity to the next.
- Getting a Toddler to Go Where You Want…Playfully — Sylvia at MaMammalia describes how a game of hide-and-seek can be used to steer a wandering toddler in the direction of her choosing.
- Playful Parenting: Chores That Do Themselves — Remember chores when you were a kid? If chores were this fun for Chante at My Natural Motherhood Journey, she wouldn’t have needed any reminders!
- Clown School Express: Playing away Fears — MudpieMama describes how she helped her boys confront their fears about starting kindergarten by playing with trains.
- Practicing Playful Parenting — Terri at Child of the Nature Isle realizes that playfulness is the best way through the day and seeks more ways to practice it.
- Today, Tomorrow and Every Day — Starr at Taking Time addresses her children in a letter sharing with them how improtant it is that they spend their childhood playing.
- Learning Through Immersion — Luschka at Diary of a First Child shares how she helps her daughter develop naturally without focusing on teaching, but rather by immersing her in their family’s way of life and making her an active part of her environment.
- Play Here Now — Jessica at Instead of Institutions learns and relearns and tries to remember the value of play.
- Play: A Wonderful Parenting Tool — Mamapoekie from Authentic Parenting offers a list of examples on how to use play in real-life parenting situations.
- Playful Parenting — a Book Review — Erica at ChildOrganics shares simple yet sage advice from Dr. Cohen on how play can change your child’s life.
- Mock Threats: Turning Real Frustration into Playful Parenting — Threatening is not an effective discipline strategy, but Dionna at Code Name: Mama explains how parents can turn their frustration into playful moments by making “mock threats.”
- I’m Sick of Yelling — I Want to Play — Alicia at McCrenshaw’s Newest Thoughts realizes she needs to change the way she’s parenting and is forming a new plan.
- Sing-along, Brush-along Songs — Shana at Tales of Minor Interest shares a few songs to make brushing her three-year-old’s teeth more fun.
- Monster Voice — Ever have those frustrating moments with your kid(s) when you just want to scream? Amy at Anktangle shares a silly strategy for getting through those difficult times.
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr I like it Mrs Green! I also have a short fuse but do sometimes manage to catch myself and choose an exagerated roar instead of a genuine scream or a comment I’ll later regret. My kids roar anyway so I think this is a great idea I’ll use when we’re getting frustrated with each other.
I love the idea of crouching down at eye level and roaring to each other! That must be exactly how grumpy lionesses and cubs make things better. 🙂 I’m going to consider how I can add this into my grumpy-day repertoire.
I also love that picture of you and your daughter!
What a great technique! Primal screaming is recommended to help adults heal emotionally. I love that your roaring is helping your daughter feel comfortable releasing her emotions in a constructive way from a young age. And that you’re both having fun with it is perfect! 🙂
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
What a great idea! Cohen talks in Playful Parenting about “fake screams” or “fake yells” – they serve the purpose of getting rid of some frustration w/o scaring the child. How awesome that you and your daughter both make roaring into a game!
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
LOL Mrs Green!!! You and Little Miss Green really do roar!!!? HA – that’s fabulous! I am with ya – I definitely believe that laughter and giggling and being light-hearted can really make a difference! Might just have to give the lion thing a go!
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
I love this so much I can’t even tell you.
I’ve tried to get my 4 year old daughter to do something like this, but I think we have to start doing it during play, so that when the tension is high we can find our way to it easily.
Wonderful!!!
You’re awesome! I wonder what Liam would think if I roared back at him next time he throws a fit? Maybe if I threw in some chasing? He does love that, but a roar might really be what I need to put it over the edge!
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
as a babysitting tool, i have included my tried and true ” low growl” of my child rearing years…when i notice wrong behavior in the children, instead of raising my voice i simply lower my brow and emit a sustained warning growl–like mama lion would–if the child persists, i roll my throatiest roar, and raise my “paw” in the air in a stopping gesture–and give a little smile and purr as soon as the child stops misbehaving or fixes whatever was the object of conflict.
ending as you do in giggles and relief..i have not heard of “natural parenting here but it is a “natural idea..
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
I would love to see you roaring together! Fabulous!
What a great approach to disagreements! Our little Sasha LOVES to roar… specifically with our Boppy Pillow on her head like a lion’s mane! Then she wants everyone in the house to take turns doing the same. She has now taken to throwing her hands behind her as she roars, as if to throw the sound even harder! It is one of the cutest things!
I’m not much for actually yelling at each other (but totally have a short fuse that goes there, especially during this pregnancy)… I should try to remember to roar, though come to think about it I do just grumble loud noises sometimes. Perhaps if I can try to choose a silly sound… seems easier said than done when at the end of that fuse, but great advice! I’ll try to keep that in mind!
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
Roar!!! Yay I’ll be doing this more from now on…much better than screaming and thankfully we don’t have many neighbours!
What a great idea! Baby T loves to roar. I am going to try this!
You know, when he’s throwing a tantrum and screaming in a high pitched way to get my attention, I often pretend he’s a pterodactyl and that diffuses the situation. I’m going to change it to roaring and roar with him from now on!
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
Hi there, just want to drop a note of thanks for your support and encouragement during my struggles with tandem nursing at the moment. God bless you!
I, too, find myself channeling a lioness throughout my parenting journey. I especially love to think about the way a lioness will calmly but quickly remove a cub from danger or redirect a cub from mischief. Lionesses fascinate me. They really do.
Anyway, I loved your post! Roaring games can be inappropriate for some ages and characters. . . I look forward to the day when a roar-fest will send my daughter into giggles instead of causing her to roar back at me! 🙂 She’s so very sensitive. . . and my parenting pot-hole is raising my voice and raging vocally. . . so I think we’ll stick to singing for now. But this is an excellent idea for parents who are on the less volatile side 🙂
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]
[…] I am woman, hear me roar! — Mrs Green from Little Green Blog shares how one simple sound can diffuse an argument in an instant. […]