Negotiating difficult moments

When days don’t go the way I expect or want it is certainly tempting to have a grown-up temper tantrum.  I sometimes pout, get cranky, stamp my foot, am sulky, refuse to cooperate, say no before even listening, am unreasonable, become disrespectful and grouchy.  I admit I am not pleasant to be around in these rare moments. 

Recognizing and taking accountability for my childlike behavior is one step towards changing it.  Today, I choose to communicate ‘using my words’, open my mind to alternative ways of understanding the situation, try out new choices before I reject them, and seek out compromise.  I can accept influence from others, as well as, respectfully express my thoughts, feelings, and needs.  I imagine it will work better to send my adult self in to negotiate difficult moments instead of sending the child within me.