Dr Madhavi Bharadwaj, a paediatrician and parenting educator, reveals how stepping away from her crying children to regulate her own emotions helped restore calm during a difficult evening of sibling rivalry.
- Even experienced parents face challenging emotional moments.
- Pausing to calm oneself can prevent anger and improve responses.
- Children mirror their parents' emotional state during distress.
What happened
One evening, Dr Madhavi’s two daughters were fighting over a toy just before bedtime. The quarrel quickly escalated, with both children crying loudly and one child even pulling her hair. Exhausted from a long day and left to handle things alone, she recognized her rising frustration and the risk of reacting harshly.
Instead of immediately intervening, Dr Madhavi chose to step away and fold some clothes in another room. This pause gave her the space to slow her breathing and calm her overwhelmed mind, allowing her to return refreshed and better equipped to soothe and redirect her children, gently settling them into sleep.
Why it feels good
Dr Madhavi’s decision to pause is a powerful reminder that parenting is not about instant reactions but mindful responses. By putting herself first momentarily, she avoided yelling or punishment—choices she knew would escalate the situation and harm relationships.
This act of self-care allowed her to reset emotionally and model calmness, which her children naturally responded to. It’s a compassionate approach that encourages parents to see emotional regulation as essential, not indulgent, for maintaining a nurturing home environment.
What to enjoy or watch next
Parents looking to explore emotional regulation techniques can follow Dr Madhavi, known as 'Bacchon Ki Doctor,' on Instagram for practical insights into parenting challenges and self-care strategies. Her experiences blend medical expertise with real-life motherhood wisdom.
For those interested in deeper understanding, books and talks on mindful parenting and emotional intelligence offer tools to better manage stress and foster calm connections with children. Embracing these methods can turn daily struggles into opportunities for growth and closeness.