3 TIPS TO HELP YOU ACCEPT YOUR CHILD'S EMOTIONS
I read an article that had a great analogy that I've never heard. It related emotions to a train tunnel. The train has to go through the dark tunnel in order to get to the light at the end of the tunnel. Perfect analogy to children and their emotions! Sometimes children, especially toddlers, need to go through that tunnel of emotions to get to the light at the end.
STEPS TO HELP YOU WHEN DEALING WITH YOUR CHILDREN'S EMOTIONS
1. REMOVE YOURSELF - ACCEPT THE EMOTIONS
Meaning... don't let their emotions rattle you! Don't let it bug you. Accept every single one of them. I know it's a lot easier said then done. But just doing that will help you tremendously!
Your children are going to cry and they're going to cry A LOT. And that is okay!
When they get hurt, mad, upset, sad... accept it! Let them process it, go through the tunnel. They'll be done when they're done.
Do you like someone telling you, you're fine, you're okay, quit crying... when you're hurt, mad, upset, sad. I know I sure don't! I just want someone to be there, to listen and to understand. I know your child does to!
2. BE PRESENT
When your child is crying, upset, or having a tantrum, be with them! Be present. Let them know you hear them & you're there.
"That makes you sad. You really want to go outside right now but we need to eat dinner. - I hear you."
"That made you really upset. - I see you fell down. That hurt you."
Say what you see, acknowledge their emotion and let them process it.
We don't immediately quit crying when we're upset, neither will they.
3. PRACTICE/BE CONSISTENT
You'll have plenty of chances to get this process down, I promise! ;)
The more you accept every emotion, the less they'll act out & the less tantrums they will have.
There's something about someone that will accept you & all your emotions, even as ridiculous as they may seem at times. They will thank you & you will be closer because of it.
Thanks for reading!
- Jenna
xoxo
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