HOW TO STAY COOL AND EARN RESPECT

PARENTING expert Islay Downey has tips for coping if your child goes into meltdown.

She said: “When things get heated, the best strategy is always to walk away and allow time for things to calm down.

“If you are starting to get worked up, say to your kids, ‘I am feeling stressed. I need to do my deep breathing exercises.’ Then close your eyes, put your hands out in front of you and take a deep breath in and then out.”

She said it is a distraction technique to turn the situation around as your kids will look at you as if you are mad. Then open your eyes and say, ‘Thank you, I feel so much better now,’ and then leave the room.

“You will also have taught your children a good calming down technique,” added Ms Downey, who gives one-to-one support to parents over the internet at harveyashe.co.uk.