Topic 2 Five Tips for Parents to Deal with Adverse Reactions

Count to 10 before you say or do anything. If you still feel angry afterwards, walk away and give yourself time to calm down.
Relax your shoulders, take a deep breath, and repeat calming words to yourself, such as “Calm down!”; “Calm down!”.
Go outside. Try to explain to yourself what is causing your child to start smoking. Put yourself in their shoes. Respect their point of view and try to plan the follow-up conversation.
Show a response that is consistent with your long-term goals for parenting and acceptable behaviour, remembering to tell your child that you love them despite their actions.
Don’t allow yourself to say something mean, insult or hit your child. Such a situation is an opportunity to teach your child how to resolve conflict with communication.