The Secret to Calming Big Emotions (Without Dismissing or Overindulging)
Some kids explode, some withdraw, and some demand non-stop attention. The challenge? Most of us were never taught how to process emotions in a healthy way.
✨ Instant Strategy:
Stop asking “Why are you upset?” and instead make a best guess that includes both emotions and life context:
“This seems really frustrating. I wonder if this is also because you didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“You seem really angry. I wonder if something at school is still on your mind.”
🛠 Proactive Tool:
Make emotions a daily check-in, not just a crisis response.
Ask: “What’s one thing that made you feel strong today? What’s one thing that drained you?”
Over time, this helps kids recognize and regulate emotions earlier.
🧠 The Neuroscience:
When kids experience big emotions, their amygdala (stress response center) takes over, making it difficult to process and communicate feelings logically. By naming emotions and making sense of them, parents help engage the prefrontal cortex (thinking brain), which allows children to develop better emotional regulation over time.
