I was a wonderful parent before I had children. I was an expert on why everyone else was having problems with theirs. Then I had three of my own.
by giving a name to the feeling they’ll make it worse. Just the opposite is true. The child who hears the words for what she is experiencing is deeply comforted. Someone has acknowledged her inner experience.
Helping Children Deal with Their Feelings Children Need to Have Their Feelings Accepted and Respected. 1. YOU CAN LISTEN QUIETLY AND ATTENTIVELY. 2. YOU CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR FEELINGS WITH A WORD. “Oh . . . Mmm . . . I see . . .” 3. YOU CAN GIVE THE FEELING A NAME. “That sounds frustrating!” 4. YOU CAN GIVE THE CHILD HIS WISHES IN FANTASY. “I wish I could make the banana ripe for you right now!”
To Engage Cooperation 1. Describe. Describe what you see or describe the problem. 2. Give information. 3. Say it with a word. 4. Talk about your feelings. 5. Write a note.