As a sleep and well-being specialist, I often witness parents struggling with how to respond to their children’s big emotions. Today, I want to share a transformative perspective that changed how I view children’s emotional experiences.
Imagine this scene: A four-year-old discovers his beloved lovey was left in grandma’s car – now an entire state away. The initial shock turns to panic, then anger, then deep, heart-wrenching sobs. As parents, our instinct is often to jump in with:
But here’s the powerful truth about emotions: They’re like tunnels, and we are trains traveling through them.
Why This Matters: Every time we try to logic our children out of their feelings or rush them through their emotions, it’s like trying to create a shortcut in the tunnel. But there are no shortcuts. The only way out is through.
What Your Child Really Needs: Instead of trying to stop the tears, our role is to:
The Magic of Waiting: In the story I shared, the entire emotional journey took just eight minutes. Eight minutes of supported crying led to natural problem-solving and ultimately, this powerful statement from the child: “I’m going to be OK tonight.”
This is where true emotional resilience is built – not in avoiding difficult feelings, but in moving through them with support.
I’ve created a comprehensive course that dives deep into:
Ready to transform how you support your child’s emotional journey? Learn more about our Understanding Emotions Course here
Remember: Tears aren’t a sign of parental failure – they’re often a sign of parental success, showing that you’ve created a safe space for your child to process their feelings completely.
