Posts tagged “validating feelings”

An illustrated scene in a soft, textured children's book style, depicting a quiet conflict resolution. A mother, with dark hair in a bun and wearing a green patterned dress, kneels on a patterned rug, her hands extended in an empathetic gesture toward her young daughter. The daughter, with arms crossed and a pouting, scowling expression, stands facing her mother. To the right, a baby sits happily in a highchair, playing with a teething ring, seemingly unaware of the older child's distress. In the background, there is a wooden bookshelf filled with books, potted plants, and a window with soft, natural light. The wallpaper has a delicate floral pattern. The overall mood is gentle but captures the tension between the mother and the upset daughter.
why kids misbehave

Kids Act on What They Believe, Not What's True: Jane Nelsen on the Hidden Stories Behind Behavior

Your child isn't reacting to what happened. They're reacting to what they believe it means. Jane Nelsen explains why that changes everything.

An illustrative vector scene shows an outdoor playground at dusk with soft, natural lighting. In the center, a young girl with twin pigtails wearing a purple dress is dramatically lying facedown on the wood chips, crying and throwing a tantrum. Standing right next to her is a concerned mother with dark curly hair, wearing a denim jacket, white top, and dark pants, looking down with a stressed and empathetic expression with her hands held out in a gesture of gentle helplessness. In the background, there is a wooden playground structure with climbing equipment and slides, set against a soft evening sky. The overall art style is warm, flat, and gentle with textured shading.
two things are true

You Can Say No and Still Say "I Get It": The Two Things Are True Approach

The park meltdown doesn't have to be a choice between caving and "stop crying." Dr. Becky Kennedy offers a third way.

An illustration in a soft, textured storybook style depicting a moment of emotional connection in a home entryway. A young Black boy with curly hair and a distressed, reluctant expression stands facing the viewer, wearing a green backpack and a striped sweater. He is looking down and away from the adult. Seated on a cream-colored bench is an adult Black woman with dark curly hair, wearing a brown cardigan and jeans. She is leaning forward with a gentle, empathetic expression, holding the boy's shoulders and looking directly at him with a reassuring, listening posture. The entryway features a dark front door on the left, with a pair of shoes on a mat nearby. On the wall is a wooden shelf with mail, a simple daily checklist, and a small glowing nightlight. A second small glowing lamp is on a side table on the right. The background wall has a subtle patterned wallpaper. The overall color palette is composed of warm, muted tones: creams, deep blues, terracotta, and soft browns. The lighting is warm and domestic. A small, stylized star icon is in the bottom right corner.
connection before correction

Why "You Hate It Right Now" Helps More Than Trying to Talk Them Out of It

Trying to talk your kid out of hating school rarely works. Naming that they hate it right now often does.

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