Parenting Post

By Sarah Chana Radcliffe

Sometimes strong emotions are “catchy.” Can you stay calm when your child is upset?

Can your child turn to you when she’s distressed, or do you overwhelm her with your own feelings? For instance, if she’s enraged at you, can you listen compassionately to her concern or do your own feelings flare up? If she’s terrified, can you hold steady through her panic or do you start to panic too? If she’s feeling despair can you let her take the time she needs to share her sadness and hopelessness or do you need to rush in with reassurance and advice because you can’t stand to see her in such pain? Really being there for your child means putting yourself aside for a time being; it can be surprisingly hard to do.