Be a safety net for your child
We all strive to keep our children safe. Giving your child lots of love helps them to feel protected and better able to handle any emotion that comes their way. It also lets them know that if they can’t manage a situation on their own, you will be there to support them.
When it rains, it pours, so make sure you have an umbrella!
When your child is having a meltdown, which will happen at some point, try some of the following things:
This is difficult to do when your 3-year-old is screaming at you because his brother is playing with his favorite toy or when your 5-year old is sobbing because her pet fish died. If you find yourself being roped into your child’s emotions, take a deep breath and resist the urge to mirror their emotions.
- Getting worked up will only make things worse for both of you.
- Speak to your child in a calm voice. This simple act may be just what your child needs to help them begin to calm down themselves.
Giving your child a hug, rubbing their back, or telling them “I’m here,” can make them feel safe and supported.
Remember that some strategies will be more useful than others:
- Rushing to their rescue or fixing all their problems won’t teach them how to manage their feelings on their own.
- Practice makes perfect – let them try to handle the situation themselves. You might need to step in to provide support now and again.
Although some emotions feel better than others, no feeling lasts forever, and it can be helpful for your child to remember this when they’re in the middle of a difficult or uncomfortable emotion.
Remember…
Your child and their behaviors are two different things. Don’t hold a grudge against them when they have trouble dealing with their emotions.