You Change First!—What To Do If You’re Caught In The Blame Game

“I would be fine if they would just stop talking to me like that!” Sound familiar?

It’s extremely frustrating when we feel as though someone else won’t allow us to be calm, to be solution focused, or to be the person that we want to be. But often when we feel frustrated that another person’s actions have this kind of influence over us, our response is to try to change them first so that we can then be okay.

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Are you getting caught in conflict?

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The scenario I just described is a classic case of being caught up in the blame game. The key to escaping it is anticipating your tendency to fall into it in the first place and make plans for avoiding it before you start a difficult or typically triggering conversation. The dynamic I described is what happens when our brains become “flooded” with stress chemicals which causes our cortex (our thinking brain) to essentially go off line. At that point, our limbic system (our emotional brain) takes over and attempts to “solve” our problems by making us fight, flee, or freeze. This is exactly what occurs each time we find ourselves getting stuck in the kind of unhealthy cycle that occurs when we find ourselves caught in a blaming/reactionary conflict. When this happens, our brain works to distance us from the problem but prevents us from actually doing anything to solve the original problem.

The first step is increasing increase your awareness of when you start to become “flooded” with stress chemicals. What signs occur in your body—i.e. your shoulders tense, your face becomes flush/hot, you clench your fists? When you first start to notice these signs, take a step back, take a deep breath, send up a quick prayer and ask God to help you find solutions that will glorify him, and be the loving person he needs you to be—even in conflict.  Then, focus on something that will help you drain those stress chemicals from your brain and bring your thinking brain back online. In moments such as these I like to reflect on the verse from 2 Timothy: 1-7 which states, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

When we get caught in the blame game, our focus becomes fixated on changing, fixing, or controlling the other person—to get them to do what we want/need them to do. While this may not be the intention, it is how we tend to operate when we are in a blaming centered conflict. This reminder from 2 Timothy demonstrates to us that we are not capable of, nor is it our responsibility to control or change another person. Our responsibility lies solely in our ability to practice self-control and model the behavior we want to see in the other person. How do you wish the other person would behave?  Make sure you’re doing that first.  If that doesn’t get things back on track, pick a time when you’re not arguing to discuss things you both need to do to make each other feel taken care of when you disagree. 

Be aware of your signs of stress, pray, and breathe. Take a step back until you are able to respond in a calm and solution focused manner. Be a model of the behavior you want from the other person, and proactively discuss ways to better take care of each other when conflict heats things up.

 

If you would like additional resources to help you stop the blame game in your relationships, visit us online at CatholicCounselors.com

“Maternal hostility” may predict whether one mistreats their adult romantic partners

*This post is included in a series of posts dedicated to Catholic HŌM Family Discipleship. Join the conversation on Facebook.

“Maternal hostility” may predict whether one mistreats their adult romantic partners

RITE OF CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS
-Practices 2, 3, and 4
-(2. Extravagant affection, 3. Prompt, consistent, generous and cheerful response to needs, 4. Discipleship Discipline)

I’m not posting this to freak anyone out, to shame anyone who is struggling with anger from time-to-time (every parent has a bad day once in a while), or even to single-out moms (because this finding applies to dads too).

I am posting this to underscore the assertion of the Rite of Christian Relationships that the way we treat each other in the home directly relates to our kids’ ability Christ’s love in their adult relationships. We cannot effectively raise kids to live their faith if we are not raising them in a warm, loving, generous environment.

Family spirituality is not just about family prayer. The warmth we foster in our homes through practices like extravagant affection, prompt, generous, consistent, and cheerful attention to needs, and gentle, Discipleship Discipline represent a catechism in sharing Christ’s love.

Kids can be frustrating. And it’s ok to feel frustrated. But before you act on that feeling, take a breath. Ask God to help you be as patient with your kids as he is with you. Then, call your kids over. Give them a hug. ONLY THEN should you offer whatever correction or redirection you need to offer gently and clearly.

Doing this won’t just make you a better parent. It will help you experience incredible grace as you invite Christ into the most frustrating moments of your day and consecrate them to him so that he can love you through them.

What have you done to show your kids you love them today (even if they were being obnoxious)? Tell us about it in the comments below and join the conversation on Facebook at Catholic HŌM Family Discipleship