How do I manage my child’s emotions?
As parents, witnessing our children struggle with intense feelings can feel exhausting and confusing. At The Heart & Mind Collective, we understand that learning to manage emotions is a process that requires patience, communication, and clear boundaries.
When your child is overwhelmed, the most powerful thing you can do is validate their experience—letting them know, "I can see you're feeling frustrated," shows them their feelings are valid. By showing empathy and seeing the situation from their perspective, you help them feel truly understood.
It's crucial to teach them that all feelings are okay, but not all behaviours are. We reinforce boundaries while modeling the calm and thoughtful response you want them to learn. When you demonstrate composure, you give them their best lesson!
Here are 5 ways to help you manage your child’s emotions:
Acknowledge their feelings:
Let your child know that it's okay to feel the way they do. You can say, "I can see you're feeling frustrated," or "It's okay to be sad".
Show empathy:
Help your child feel understood by showing you empathise with their situation from their perspective.
Distinguish between feelings and behaviour:
Remind them that while all feelings are okay, certain behaviours (like hitting or yelling) are not.
Model calm behaviour:
Children learn how to manage emotions by watching you. When you face a frustrating situation, model a calm response.
Encourage them to talk
Help your child identify and label their emotions. You can use "emotion charts" or talk about feelings when reading books about emotions.
Ready to build a stronger, more emotionally resilient relationship with your child? Book an appointment with one of our clinicians today by following the link below: