Oh yes, the classic eye roll! We’ve all seen it and perhaps have participated in it a few times as well. However, how do we as parents handle the dreaded, yet classic eye-roll?
First off, understand that many times our loving teens truly don’t mean much when they perform this dreadful act. This is their way of disapproving or showing disdain for what you have said or done. Remember when our children reach the teen years, we are no longer cool. They no longer will worship our every word, instead they are showing their toughness with this wonderful act we despise so much.
What we as parents must do in order to survive this stage is to not put too much emphasis on it. I know, I know…you want to but you shouldn’t. If you do, they will simply continue to do it because they have succeeded in annoying you. We must be smarter, wait we are smarter, so ignore. Yes, you read that correctly ignore. This phase will pass or so we hope, but from experience it will pass.
Instead teach them to express themselves to express their feelings in words. If they don’t want to verbally communicate, give them paper. Yes, that’s the Retro in me, but it works. I have tons and tons of notebooks that one of my children used up to express her feelings. It’s a wonderful outlet and who knows – the eye rolling may diminish. It’s worth a try.
My advise is to simply avoid any confrontations from a simple eye roll. They feel empowered by this action and that is a wonderful feeling, right? Remember when you did it? Instead of overreacting realize this is simply a form of expression and this too shall pass.
Dr. Daisy Sutherland is the Founder/CEO of Dr. Mommy Online. She is a doctor, author, mentor, speaker, wife & mom to 5 children. Dr. Mommy's mission is to ~ Help Busy Women and Men with her 'Get Real' approach to living a happier and healthier lifestyle. Watch for new book: 'Letting Go of Super Mom' coming out August 7, 2012.
Wow! I say this all the time at home. But we have a 4 and 8 year old. They have not elevated to the eye roll but have other ways of expressing their parental distaste. I am going to show this to my husband as he has a difficult time ignoring. Being a therapist, I am more skilled, but it is still hard. Just can’t wait for those teenage years!