I need a 'break'!

This past week, Elisabeth threw something across the room. I asked her to pick it up and bring it to me so that I could put it away because we don't throw things. She started crying because she didn't want to part with the bracelet she had thrown. She looked at me and said,

"I need a break."

I was amazed at how she had internalized the concept of a break. She understood that when her emotions overwhelmed her, that a break is the place where she can quietly collect herself before we talk about the episode. What a joy to see that she is understanding it as helpful and restorative, and not punitive!