“If we’re the slightest bit anxious or uncomfortable, our child has no choice but to feel that anxiety as well. If we’re annoyed, impatient or even a bit rushed, children have a harder time functioning and will tend to put on the brakes.”

I suppose it’s the sort of thing most people can feel… but you’re right, and I need to come up with a strategy for handling this.

I have always felt like I learned empathy through reading — by being forced to view the world through other people’s perspectives. I wrote about it recently and would love some feedback (I’m new): https://mattybannond.wordpress.com/2017/04/02/what-should-kids-read/