Thriving Thursday: Don't Feed the Chaos (Document It Instead) 📝

It is so hard not to take the bait. When the attacks come, everything in you wants to scream the truth. It is hard not to be dragged down into that low energy. It feels like you are losing if you don't fight back.

But here is the truth: You are not losing. You are modeling.

In The Boy with the Blue Bike, there is a moment in Mirrorland where three intimidating people in suits hover over Leo and Jasper. The boys realize something profound: the people are feeding off their energy.

Leo decides to change the dynamic. He stops.

"There is an abrupt silence. Jasper and I look at these three people. They pretend to be doing something else and go away again."

This is not about winning a battle; it's about winning the war. Your children are witnessing a true Superparent in action. Even if they don't say it, they are watching. By refusing to engage in the toxicity, you are silently teaching them:

Strong Boundaries: "I do not let others control my emotions."
Self-Worth: "I am too valuable to argue with nonsense."
Love: "I choose peace for my home."

The Psychology: The "Modeling" Effect Psychologist Albert Bandura’s research on Observational Learning proves that children learn far more from what they see us do than what we tell them to do. When you stay calm in the face of a storm, you aren't just protecting your peace today; you are hard-wiring your child’s brain to handle conflict with dignity for the rest of their lives.

Your Mission: Don't ruminate. Document. When the nasty text comes: