Topic - Irate Kids. Have you ever seen a cop handle irate people? The cop gives simple and clear directions with a “voice of authority”. He doesn’t explain, console or attempt to reason with the person who’s out of control. The cop simply says, “Put your hands on the hood, sir. Put your hands on the hood, sir”. He’s respectful and direct.
Follow his lead. When Jason is ranting and raving, don’t even think about talking with him. He won’t hear a thing. Why is that?
When people are upset, adrenalin and cortisol flood their brains and short circuits thinking. These chemicals are designed to give you the energy and strength to run away or stand and fight. They are not chemicals designed for thinking.
Once Jason is calm and a bit of time has passed, the follow-up “life lesson” can happen.
Help him to do two things, know how to avoid the event in the future and give him ways to handle it if it happens again. Assure him that practice really does make perfect and he’ll get better at handling life as he moves along.
