Emotions are important when it comes to living life – they help us make decisions, handle issues and defines who we are. However, some individuals are much more emotionally sensitive than others, and they have trouble handling them, and most of the time, this incompetency develops right from childhood. There are things you can do to help your kids manage their emotions better.
If you too, suspect you have a more sensitive child and tend to experience all emotions in a more magnified way, here’s helping you handle that. Read on…
Be Mindful Together
Mindfulness can be transformative, and if you haven’t been practising it already, now’s the time to bring it into your lives. Being mindful, focusing on the moment and taking things one step at a time can help keep your child from being overwhelmed by emotions. By incorporating mindfulness into his life, he’ll learn to be calmer and less reactive over things. In fact, several studies have confirmed that mindfulness can help make you a stronger person and help you turn your negative emotions into sources of strength.
Model Good Behaviour
You probably knew this one was coming – as a parent; you’re a role model for your child. If you can master healthy emotional management yourself, your child will follow the same, and he’ll learn how it is okay not to take everything to heart. If you want your kids not to throw temper tantrums, learn to manage your anger yourself first. Also, remember that emotions often drive young children, so take things one step at a time and be patient.
Accept the Feelings
A big mistake most parents tend to make when helping their children manage their emotions is that they belittle those emotions. Children, susceptible children, often seek validation from their parents, and if you don’t give that to them, things can backfire very easily. You would want your child to feel safe enough to express his emotions in front of you, so the next time he comes to you about something, no matter how small it is, listen to him attentively, and acknowledge his feelings. Be sensitive towards your child – it will help him find his calm better than anything else will.
Look for Grounding Activities
Remember the last time you felt crappy, and your emotions were all over the place. What did you do? Please help your child find those activities that help him stay grounded and encourage him to practise those whenever he feels less in control of his emotions. Meditation, taking a shower, going for a walk, writing his feelings down in a journal or even colouring or painting are good, healthy outlets to help manage difficult emotions for both children and adults.
Fabulous post. I need to take more time out and practise mindfulness with the kids as I can already see my first exhibiting signs of anxiety.
Aww it’s hard to see isn’t it but mindfulness definitely helps them x
Fab tips! I think it is really important to encourage little ones to show their emotions. I always encourage my two to come to me if something is wrong and we can work through it together.
Yes I have always tried to do that with my children and really hope that they continue to talk to me when they are teens x
We’re going through a big emotional development stage with our son. He’s become afraid of the dark and we initially we dismissing it. We changed tactic and now accept it, are going with it for now and he’s much better in himself about it. Goes to show we need to be more in tune and accepting of our kids emotions.
It’s hard to know which way to be sometimes though, isn’t it? I have often tried not to pander too much to things like that but have sometimes found it makes it worse. It’s not always easy to know what to do for the best. I hope his fear improves xx
It is so important to respect children’s feelings and not belittle them. This is a great post.
So true, everyone’s feelings are valid and deserve to be respected x