Bedtime battles can feel overwhelming. The kicking, screaming, and tears leave you exhausted, unsure how to respond. But what if you didn’t have to react in frustration? What if you could pause, breathe, and choose your response?

Viktor Frankl reminds us: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”

In parenting, this space—the pause—is where we reclaim our power. Before reacting, place your hand to your heart, take a deep breath, and ask yourself: What is my intention in this moment? Connection? Play? Holding a boundary with love?

Parenting is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Read the full post to learn how to use the Pause Button in your parenting.