Learning how to ride the waves of emotion
Big feelings are part of growing up. They can show up fast when emotions get too big for bodies and words can’t catch up. They can feel huge, even in situations that seem small. And sometimes, they can come along and surprise everyone in the room (including you).
For example, anxiety doesn’t always look like fear. It can come up as avoidance behaviors or anger. Sadness can, too. Stress can make someone sad, easily frustrated, or more tired than usual.
Emotions can be compared to waves in the ocean. They rise, peak, and come back down again. The key is learning to notice and ride the waves instead of getting pulled under. This awareness is a skill both kids and caregivers can build.
Anxiety
You know your child so well, but you don’t live inside their body. So, how can you as a parent start to understand when your child is feeling anxious? Some amount of anxiety is actually normal — it’s when it begins to disrupt your child’s daily life that it becomes an issue that needs support.
So how do you know if your child has a healthy level of anxiety or a level that might benefit from coaching (or therapy)? Keep reading to learn more.
Sadness
Seeing your child struggle with sadness can be heartbreaking. But knowing whether they’re facing disappointment or something deeper like clinical depression can also feel confusing or scary.
Knowing the right things to say and do when your child feels sad can make a big difference. Not just in how your child handles it today, but in the way they learn to navigate it in the future.
Stress
We all know how it feels to be stressed. Your 6-year-old might meltdown because their PB&J was cut in the wrong direction. Even seemingly small things can feel too big for little shoulders to carry at times. There may also be other, very real, stressors at play, too, regardless of your child’s age.
A new school, a friend who moved away, a hard class, or a missing pet or loved one can all add stress to a child’s life. Knowing how to manage stress levels is an individual skill that will keep your whole family feeling more balanced. You can model healthy coping mechanisms — we can help.
Tough transitions
Big changes often come with big feelings. This is true for both kids and adults. In fact, most of the time, if you’re trying to help a child deal with a tough transition, it means you’re going through one, too. And when one big thing is shifting, the little daily disappointments or disruptions start to feel gigantic.
But, life happens. So it’s important that you and your child have the tools you need to get through times that feel unsteady or uncomfortable. Knowing what to look for in your child’s mood and behavior during a big change can be the first step towards understanding how to support them.
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