Many of us complain that there’s too much drama in our lives. But what, exactly, is drama, anyway?

 

dra·ma

[drah-muh, dram-uh]

noun

a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving conflict or contrast of character, especially one intended to be acted on the stage; a play.

the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.

any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results.

the quality of being dramatic.

 

When I think of “drama” I’ve experienced in my own life, I can recall times I’ve said, “My life feels like a soap opera!” Have you ever stopped to think about what characteristics are common to soap operas in America?

• Backstabbing
• Manipulating
• Lying
• Cheating
• Cliffhangers
• Unresolved issues
• Secrecy
• Gossip
• Hidden agendas
• Crime

 

And the storylines of soap operas tend to drag on and on…you could literally stop watching for months (or even years) and still pretty much know what was going on with the same characters.

 

Think of how many people watch these TV dramas every day and become “addicted” to them. We, as a culture, think that drama is exciting! What kind of ratings would the news channels get if all they reported was happy news? Truthfully, I might actually watch the news if they reported some uplifting or inspiring stories once in a while within the first 10 minutes. But I digress.

 

In real life, people with a lot of “drama” tend to:

 

• ride an emotional roller coaster
• consistently overreact
• exaggerate the seriousness of minor events or everyday problems
• complain a lot
• frequently jump to conclusions and make assumptions
• blame others for their problems
• bring third parties into their conflicts, rather than deal directly with the other person

 

As parents, we need to check ourselves. What are we modeling for our kids? Children learn what they live. If they always hear us blowing things out of proportion and making mountains out of molehills, they’ll do the same. If we gossip in front of them, I guarantee they’ll gossip, too. If our lives are in a constant state of flux, they’ll assume that’s the norm.

 

Our kids give us plenty of opportunities on a daily basis to be dramatic and to become emotionally reactive. With this blog and the Less Drama More Mama classes, I hope to help moms see that this emotional reactivity is our biggest enemy as parents because it brings about the very outcomes we’re hoping to avoid. Each week, I’ll delve a little deeper into this concept, and give tips on how to reduce the amount of drama in your family.

 

Now, I’d like to hear from you: What are some instances in which you were able to keep your cool despite a chaotic or stressful situation? How were you able to do it? What are the most challenging situations you face as a parent? Please leave a comment below.