Isn’t it funny how becoming a parent can help you grow? And I don’t mean “grow up” in the traditional sense (although parenting can do that too!) What I’m referring to is the emotional and personal growth that comes with parenting a child. For me – the learning curve has been steep when it’s come to helping my almost 4 year old son handle negative emotions.
I should have known I was going to need help when the nurses at the hospital commented on how loud and lusty my new son’s cry was…
Or maybe I should have realized when he was 3 months old and my husband and I tried to drive a few hours in the car to attend a funeral with my son “scream-crying” the entire way (after which we vowed we wouldn’t go further away than 15 minutes from home for the next year or so!).
The negative emotions hit full-force…
My son threw himself down on the floor in a classic temper tantrum at 14 months and I got really angry (and then felt horribly guilty), that I realized that I needed to figure this feelings stuff out!
As someone who has personally struggled to overcome depression and anxiety, I promised myself then and there that I would try to find the best way that I could to raise an emotionally healthy child.
I wanted to give my son at least a fighting chance to learn how to handle his negative emotions in a healthy way – something I recognized that I knew very little about.
And so I began my research on helping kids with negative emotions…
I started pouring over parenting books, taking parenting workshops, and listening to expert podcasts on emotional intelligence and resilience.
And I’ve learned a lot in the process – both about parenting, and about myself.
But mostly, I have learned that what we teach our kids about feelings (both intentionally or unintentionally) in their first 7 or 8 years – can have a big impact on their future emotional resilience and health.
That’s why learning about the positive parenting approach has been a true gift for me. It provides a basic framework for intentionally raising kids with their future well-being in mind.
On my blog, One Time Through, I write a lot about this parenting style and emotional health, and every time I learn something else new and beneficial, I get really excited about sharing it with other parents.
I know that Dayna here at Lemon Lime Adventures has also been going through her own challenging parenting journey and has learned so much along the way.
Today I’ve rounded up all of our best posts that share ways to help kids handle negative emotions like anxiety, unhappiness, and anger.
I know that you will find helpful information and ideas in these posts that will make it easier for you and your child to handle their negative emotions. These strategies made all the difference to me (and to my son!)
And maybe, just maybe, you too will find the same excitement that I get every time I support my son through a strong emotion with empathy, instead of anxiety or irritation. I like to think of it as a sign that I’m growing into an emotionally healthier and more resilient person myself.
Ways to Help Anxious Kids
Tips to Support Kids Experiencing Anxiety | One Time Through
13 Helpful Phrases You Can Say to Calm an Anxious Child | Lemon Lime Adventures
15 Ways to Calm an Anxious Child When Words Don’t Work | Lemon Lime Adventures
Ideas for Supporting Unhappy Kids
Cruising Towards Mellow: A Roadmap for Supporting Upset Kids | One Time Through
2 Words to Never Say to a Whining Child | Lemon Lime Adventures
Helping Kids Handle Anger
Top 10 Reasons Why Kids Get Angry and How You Can Help | One Time Through
Best Parenting Tips for Parenting an Angry Child | Lemon Lime Adventures
Helping Aggressive Kids: 10 Positive Parenting Tips | One Time Through
Sensory Hacks to Calm an Angry Child | Lemon Lime Adventures
Why You Can’t Discipline the Angry Out of Your Child | Lemon Lime Adventures
Other Posts Related to Handling Negative Emotions
How to Teach Kids to Value and Accept Feelings | One Time Through
What You NEED to Know About Parenting Triggers |One Time Through
How to Boost Your Child’s Resilience: 30+ Things You Can Say | One Time Through
What big feelings does your child struggle with? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below.
If you are looking for hands-on resources for helping to teach your child about his or her feelings, be sure to read Best Parent Resources to Teach Kids About Feelings over on my blog.
Sue is a mom, teacher and kids’ picture book addict. You can find her blogging about positive parenting strategies and hands-on learning activities at One Time Through. She is also on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.
I tell my friends that I could tell each of my 3 children’s personalities by how quickly and how loudly their first cry came. My oldest (who cried loudly right away) has sensory issues, no coping skills when things are hard or don’t go her way, and is easily angered. This collection of blogs is very helpful. Thank you
That’s really interesting Erin! That was certainly our experience. My son was so overstimulated after birth that he really only slept for maybe 8 or 9 hours in the first 72 hours of his life. I only got 4 hours and started to go a little nuts myself. He continues to be highly sensitive and has difficulties with tactile and vestibular processing. Glad you found this roundup helpful! Best, Sue
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Nice tips, very helpful article, also read this:http:http:http:http://www.indiaparenting.com/raising-children/125_6633/tips-for-raising-emotionally-healthy-children.html
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