This morning, one word changed everything. I mentioned the word “doctor” on a phone call and my kid immediately assumed it was about him. Shoes on, heading for the door, stress rising fast. Once that idea landed, it took time and even writing it down to help him understand that he wasn’t going anywhere near a doctor today. What could’ve derailed our whole morning became a speed bump instead. Misunderstandings happen. Especially when anxiety fills in the blanks. Slowing down, showing instead of repeating, and offering reassurance can make all the difference. 💬 What helps your kid reset when a misunderstanding pops up?
My kid heard one thing and immediately snapped into action. It took rerouting, reassurance, and physically showing him no doctor today. Once he understood, the relief was immediate. What do you do to help diffuse misunderstandings when they pop up?
Misunderstandings. Oof. They really know how to hijack a morning. Because this morning I was on a phone call talking about a theoretical doctor's appointment. Not his, not today. Just words floating in the air. And my kid heard one thing. Doctor. And immediately snapped into action. He got dressed, started heading for the door, repeated doctor, doctor. Like a very determined hype man, and got himself increasingly upset. The thing is, I wasn't talking to him. I wasn't talking about him. But once that idea landed, it landed.
It took rerouting, reassurance, and eventually me writing it down on a piece of paper and physically showing him no doctor today. And that's what finally made it click. What could have been completely derailed by our morning turned into a speed bump instead. And once he understood, the relief was immediate. He actually seemed pretty happy to end up in school instead. Because misunderstandings aren't always avoidable, especially when anxiety processing differences or big feelings are involved. But sometimes they don't have to become the whole story.
So now I'm curious. What do you do to help diffuse misunderstandings when they pop up? Because some days, clarity is the real win.
