Inner Brat? More Like Inner Caillou

Let’s face it – each one of us has an inner brat.

Well, it’s that part of us that acts childish. It’s the part of us that wants us to lead sedentary lifestyles rather than going to the gym and dreading each and every hour of it. It’s the part that prefers chicken nuggets over a grilled chicken salad with lots of vegetables. (True enough, that kid inside us hates vegetables as much as some real kids who are picky.) It’s the part of us that chooses late-night TV over sleeping 7-9 hours each night.

Well, some of us have even whinier brats.

Caillou, a literary character, spawned numerous books for kids. But the first several episodes of his self-titled TV show made him the target of criticisms from most parents and some viewers who even don’t have kids and the butt of many Internet video comedies.

Why? Well, most parents and viewers view him as a brat. He whines when he doesn’t get his way or when his parents tell him that an event (like the circus) isn’t until later on, usually “tomorrow.” In the beginning of the very first episode, “Caillou Makes Cookies,” the 3-year-old boy bangs his drums until he is stopped by Doris, the mother. She tells him to play quietly because his younger sister Rosie is napping. He plays the drums again, but Doris tells him to quiet down again. “But I want to play!” Caillou whines.

See? Not everybody’s inner whiner is the same, and some have the same brattiness as Caillou. It makes us procrastinate more, overeat, sit around and not exercise, and do other destructive habits. It doesn’t want us to do what is right for us.

It really wants us to play.

So, how can we tame that inner Caillou? One of the methods is Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT.

First, tap on the side of your hand. While doing that, say three statements that even if you have negative feelings or attitudes on doing the right thing, you still appreciate yourself. “Even though I want to play – I don’t want to finish the project, I deeply and completely appreciate myself,” is a good start.

Next, tap on some parts of the body saying phrases about the negative attitudes. Repeat if necessary. You may want to do the same on what’s underlying the rebelliousness, wondering how to make peace with yourself and find ways to make the good habit fun, and choosing to do so.

If you are short on time, there are always affirmations to say to yourself. If you have to go to the gym because of somebody is about to drag you there and you rather stay home and watch TV, say that daily exercise makes you feel fantastic. You may also say that every day you are getting stronger or slimmer or that you body feels terrific when you work out. You may want to say them every day.

Whatever you do to make peace with yourself and tame that whiny kid inside you, you will be able to take on any task or good habit naturally. Whether it’s weight loss or being at work on time, your brat won’t go away, but you can discipline it by changing your attitude in what’s good for you.