Demian and Lenart, continue with chapter 7: How we keep it together and how we fall apart: The High Road and the Low Road - from the book "Parenting From the Inside Out" by Daniel J. Siegel. and Mary Hartzell.

This journey of fatherhood that we're on keeps us on our toes and yet it is so rewarding! There are gems to be found on a daily basis and if you look for them, you will find that they far outweigh the sleepless nights, limited "me time" and other pressures that parenting can bring to a relationship. 

Learning to recognise when we're "slipping" and possibly falling into a "Low Road" state of mind is key to being able to pick ourselves, our partners and our children up again.

There are two forms of processing discussed in this chapter

The High Mode or High Road of processing involves the rational reflective thought processes of the mind. You're capable of control, making decisions, retaining a connection with your children. It allows us to be flexible in our choices and to keep true to our values in raising our children.

The Low Mode or Low Road of processing involves the shutting down of the higher processes of the mind. You become more inflexible. 

Entering the low road can feel a bit like "you're losing your mind", because parts of your brain shuts down and you can become flooded by feelings such as fear, sadness and rage. These intense emotions can have difficult responses and you can react in a way that you do not want to. 

Implicit memory (memory that you don't have awareness that you're recollecting) invokes in you emotions that are really intense and shuts off parts of your brain so you can't consciously react and keep the connection with your child.

Join us as we discuss our understanding of being on the High and the Low Road.