Does it happen to you too, that you catch yourself talking harshly to your child without even being aware of it? It almost seems like someone else is speaking – or is it? I sometimes think I am hearing my mother. And I am lucky enough to have a mum who wasn’t bad at all. She was just sometimes tired and irritated – probably repeating the same cycle of parenting that goes back generations. It takes conscious awareness to break this pattern and when our patience is running thin at the end of the day, the subconscious programming takes over.

Dyslexic children have an additional problem in this regard. Being highly sensitive they pick up the slightest moods, thoughts or energetic vibes from their parents. They don’t always interpret them correctly either, as their imagination can blow up any scenario to become a huge drama. My son was one of these highly dramatic individuals. He used to throw himself on the ground for additional effect and even minor issues could become big melt-downs. You know when he changed? – Confidence in himself! It wasn’t the kind of assurance that parents can pass on by talking about the inherent intelligence and capability they notice. That is of course better than telling them the opposite – but still won’t be taken seriously until they have proven to themselves, that they are smart, capable and can astonish the world and themselves. His HSC results were a huge confidence booster, getting into UNI or the course he wanted, being respected by his peers. Sometimes children need help to achieve this level of confidence, with others it comes naturally with time and effort.