:: The Roots of Violence ::

Nothing is more natural than for a child to become
angry when his intention is thwarted. Anger is a
reaction to perceived entrapment or disempowerment;
it activates the body’s primal energies for restoring
freedom and personal power. These energies can be
applied violently… or creatively.

But when anger itself is thwarted — when those
energies are successfully suppressed via threats of
punishment, withdrawal, or exclusion — the child will
descend into hopelessness (relative to the original
intention, if not generally). The child may then
appear “well-adjusted,” but those energies persist,
like a sleeping volcano, increasing the potential for
extreme violence.

So when you empower children rather than thwarting
them, you make the world a less violent, more peaceful
place. However, it gets tricky when parents think they
have to thwart *themselves* to empower their children,
as that can awaken their own raging volcanoes.

Today, look for ways to experience power *with* your
child. Be creative. Think outside the box. Give as
much as you can and still feel good. And remember that
you are not the ultimate Source of your child’s power.

http://dailygroove.net/violence

Feel free to forward this message to your friends!
(Please include this paragraph and everything above.)
Copyright (c) 2010 by Scott Noelle

Reposted by:

Riviera PlaySchool in Redondo Beach, CA
TEACHING FROM BALANCE
A Mindful program for the ‘Whole Child,’ inspired by the best of Attachment Parenting, Bev Bos, Montessori, Waldorf and Non-Violent Communication.