Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the confirmation. The rational part of me knows it is likely an overreaction, but I also need to her to understand she can never do anything like that again. The abuse part was really a little voice in my head to the bigger voice about this likely being a general behavioral lapse.
My parents overheard me say "damn" once when I was playing a sport, on the field, and I was grounded (including no electronics, no going outside but for school, etc.) for a month. Harsh, yes, but it worked. I would never do anything that extreme with her as she's five, but I don't want her to think it's NBD or not memorable.
You have to make sure that little voice is rational. So many people on here say "trust your gut! It's never wrong!'. But the reality is that for an over thinker or something with anxiety ( both which I struggle with) that inner voice/gut can absolutely be wrong.