Discussion:
· Kids' intensity of emotion can be a challenge
· Some parents are worried about their children's days and the reports they get back about sad or hard days. (Input from faculty liaison: It's likely not that bad and blows over. It's so impactful to parents because we are so tapped into their emotions.)
· Frustration at the emotions but remembering that at this age our kids are very egocentric.
· Sometimes we tend to want to know everything about the problem, but maybe they don't want to talk about it.
Potential Solutions:
· Validate their emotions and let them know it's ok to feel that way.
· Help them accept that they're disappointed. Model it.
· Let them discuss some workable solutions to problems.
· Wait a day and revisit the topic/problem to work out new solutions.
· Don't get so wrapped up in their emotions; it’s ok to let them feel those emotions.
· Remind your children of their "zones." (from the Zones of Regulation). "It looks like you're in the red zone. What do you need to get back into green?" or "That [reaction] is so unexpected." Make it their responsibility to find their way back from disappointment.
· Try the exercise "Rose and Thorn" at the end of the day to help kids accept that every day has its ups and downs. (Some people share “good news and bad news” – another version of the same thing). The idea is for the kids to share their good and bad moments from the day.
· Pay attention and make eye contact during correction. Keep it short. Say, "Can you tell me what I said?" instead of "What did I just say to you?"
· Remember that you can only help them so much. "Tomorrow is a new day."
· Kids' intensity of emotion can be a challenge
· Some parents are worried about their children's days and the reports they get back about sad or hard days. (Input from faculty liaison: It's likely not that bad and blows over. It's so impactful to parents because we are so tapped into their emotions.)
· Frustration at the emotions but remembering that at this age our kids are very egocentric.
· Sometimes we tend to want to know everything about the problem, but maybe they don't want to talk about it.
Potential Solutions:
· Validate their emotions and let them know it's ok to feel that way.
· Help them accept that they're disappointed. Model it.
· Let them discuss some workable solutions to problems.
· Wait a day and revisit the topic/problem to work out new solutions.
· Don't get so wrapped up in their emotions; it’s ok to let them feel those emotions.
· Remind your children of their "zones." (from the Zones of Regulation). "It looks like you're in the red zone. What do you need to get back into green?" or "That [reaction] is so unexpected." Make it their responsibility to find their way back from disappointment.
· Try the exercise "Rose and Thorn" at the end of the day to help kids accept that every day has its ups and downs. (Some people share “good news and bad news” – another version of the same thing). The idea is for the kids to share their good and bad moments from the day.
· Pay attention and make eye contact during correction. Keep it short. Say, "Can you tell me what I said?" instead of "What did I just say to you?"
· Remember that you can only help them so much. "Tomorrow is a new day."