Quite a few mums and dads have heard about ‘shark music’ these days. Shark music is a brilliant name for what happens inside a mum or dad’s brain that turns them from a ‘good parent’ to a ‘bad parent’, often in a split second. It plays in the background like a soundtrack for our most challenging parenting moments – and even if you anticipated you would respond to your child in a sweet, composed way, this soundtrack can lead you to do the opposite.
Some of your shark music might sound like this:
‘If my child keeps screaming, everyone will think I’m a bad mother’.
‘My daughter is calling out again because she wants to ruin my night’
‘WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!’
‘You’re just trying to get your own way so I’m going to ignore you’
The only way to keep your child safe from your own poor behaviour, in the moments where we are most keenly required to be grown-up and grounded, is to become aware of your shark music.