Validating my child’s emotions is hats off to my resilient and sweet 9 year old who had a hard time when I broke down the news that she will now be taking the bus to school instead of being driven to school. She didn’t mind taking the bus but she liked it even more when she was able to take it with her big sister. I had to explain to her that because of my work schedule, it was the best decision for her.The weekend prior to her starting to take the bus was tough because every time she thought about school, she will come to me in tears saying how much she would miss me. As much as I wanted to reason with her, I had to honor and validate her feelings.
Validating my child’s emotions is learning in parenting as well as in any relationship that validating the other’s feelings means that you take the focus out of you in order to see the person’s heart. Validating your child’s emotions doesn’t mean you are condoning bad choices or defiant behavior, it’s giving your child permission to to feel their feelings in a safe and non-judgmental space.
Babygirl did express ALL the emotions on the feelings chart she learned since preschool because well why not and it took patience and her sweet face to cause me to just listen and help her get back to her joyful self! Validating my child’s emotions is critical as a parent to remember that helping our children cultivate solid emotional well-being promotes confidence in themselves and empathy for others.After many conversations and tons of snuggles and tissues and kisses and craft and puzzles and enrolling her sisters to extend grace, we came to a solution perfect for her (her words): the days after track practice she comes home late, Hubby or I will walk her or drive her to school. It’s a compromise we could align with. The Monday morning was special as she bravely went through her morning routine and got ready for school announcing to us all that she could do it.
That’s what I called a successful outcome and Lord knows I needed to refuel from the mental gymnastics I went through that weekend and to all the moms out there going through tough mommy times, remember:
- You are not alone
- This too shall pass
- Deep breathe through it
- Reach out for help if needed
Validating my child’s emotions is also taking time to let other moms know that they are seen. Moms, you are doing your best though tired, sometimes holding it together by a thread but oh so grateful and ready to do this mom thing again! You got this and my hats off to you because tough mama times don’t last but tough mamas do!
WELLThy Mom Life NODte:”Tough mama times don’t last but tough mamas do!” -Nathalie O’donald
Share this post:
