Validate Your Child's Feelings
Ever feel like you’re starring in a soap opera called 'As the Toddler Screams'? Welcome to the magical world of feelings validation, where your job is to nod solemnly at a child losing it over the wrong color cup. Sure, you wish you could fast-forward to the credits, but trust me, this is the Oscar-worthy parenting move that (eventually) gets you less drama and more snuggles. Try it if you’re tired of the daily emotional plot twists!
When you validate your child’s feelings, you’re literally helping wire their little brains for emotional intelligence—think of it as giving them emotional WiFi. It builds trust, reduces meltdowns (eventually!), and teaches them how to handle big feelings instead of bottling them up or launching them at your shins.
How to do it
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Get down to your child's level. Make eye contact, rather than talking from above or across the room.
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Name the feeling you observe. For example, you might say, "Wow, you’re really frustrated right now."
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Resist the urge to fix the problem or explain it away immediately. Instead, simply sit with your child in the moment, even if it feels uncomfortable.
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Hold off on giving a pep talk or offering solutions. At this stage, your role is to be an emotional umbrella—providing comfort and support—rather than trying to change how your child feels.
Key Tips:
- Physically lower yourself to your child's height to connect more effectively.
- Use simple, empathetic language to acknowledge their emotions.
- Allow space for your child to experience their feelings without rushing to resolve them.
- Remember, your presence and understanding are more important than immediate solutions.
