They Need An Outlet

They need an outlet. Sometimes that outlet is crying. Sometimes it's a tantrum. Shaking. Foot stomping. Yelling.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Our little ones have brains that aren't fully developed yet. The ability to be calm in the midst of raging emotions is hard for even many adults who have fully formed brains.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We can allow emotions and allow them to be expressed, fully.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We can keep kids safe at the same time and have limits when limits are needed. Hurting people of course isn't ok. Breaking things isn't ok. We can help them be safe in respectful ways - watch our delivery.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I'm going to bring us back full circle now. On day one we reflected on what we learned about emotions when we were kids.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If emotions were seen and treated as bad behaviors this may still be our automatic default now. Almost like a fight or flight response when our kids have a big emotion.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What would it have been like if you would have been seen and accepted, emotions and all? If every emotion could have been talked about and expressed?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If this is bringing up really big stuff for you it may help to go talk to someone about it, unravel and unpack it.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Otherwise, use this paradigm shift with your kids now. All emotions are ok, and good, and useful.
This post was brought to you by @aliviairwinlcsw. More than a toy designer, be mindful is a community of parents who are going through the process of building the best denizens of next generation. As such we encourage and delight in our community participating in our blog and social media efforts. Your voice will be heard across our community and who knows which kid or which parent your wisdom will enlighten! Feel free to email us at howdy@mindful-engineering.com or submit an inquiry on our site if you have a blog post idea you want to share!