Posted by Lynne Kenney, PsyD on June 15, 2018 · Leave a Comment
The social-emotional development of our nation’s children is foremost in our minds. We have all hugged our children and expressed gratitude for their health and well-being. We pray for those families who now are hurting so deeply. Some of whom are very close to our own hearts.
When life is difficult or complicated and our children are in a stress-response, we need to co-regulate with them. Our words and actions can help the children “Find Calm”. What we say, think and do in these intense or painful moment matters.
Co-regulating is about being present and ready to sit with the child in their fear, hurt or pain. Here are 9 ways you can say, “Your feelings matter”. “Together, we will get through this.” Feel free to grab these mantras if one rings true for you. Let us share some love and kindness when moments get tough.
- “We can embrace your BIG feelings. Let’s breathe through them together”
- “Let’s move through your BIG feelings together
- “Your feelings truly matter to me”
Let’s choose how many minutes you will be in these BIG feelings.”
- “You have the power to feel deeply and still be balanced and calm.”
- “Help me better understand how you feel.”
- “Let’s Be Calm Together.”
- “I am right here with you. We will work through this together.”
- “We can work through these intense feelings together.”
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Written for real parents with anxious, angry and over-the-top kids, Bloom is a brain-based approach to parenting all children. Taking its lead from neuroscience and best practices in early childhood mental health, it offers parents, teachers and care providers the words, thoughts and actions to raise calm, confident children, while reducing the need for consequences and punishment. The first book of its kind, it provides pages full of printable mantras you can carry with you, hang on your fridge or use in your classroom to raise emotionally competent kids. Stop second-guessing the way you handle misbehaviors, and learn why they occur in the first place. Bloom is available at amazon.com
