Comments for Blink--And They're Grown

Comment on Validating Children’s Feelings by debs

debs — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:59:16 +0000

I agree with you Kathy and Jillian! Too many times people try to “fix” our feelings or placate us because its hard for them to respond to the emotion we express.

Comment on Validating Children’s Feelings by Jillian

Jillian — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:22:37 +0000

I think this is also very true of MOST people. I know it is for me. My sweet husband tries to fix it, I just want validation! ^_^ I think of times I’ve done this with my son and it does help more then trying to explain things to him.

Comment on Validating Children’s Feelings by Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:17:44 +0000

I was just talking with a mom-friend today who is going through a divorce and trying to deal with both her own and her 5-year-old daughter’s emotions as they find a “new normal.” (I’ll pass this on to her – she’ll appreciate it….thank you!) Later it occurred to me that many of us adults don’t validate our own negative emotions very well – we’d much rather distract ourselves, deny the emotions we feel, or bury ourselves in activities that make us feel better without allowing ourselves to live in the pain long enough to acknowledge that it’s a reasonable response to the situation. (If a sad thing happens to you, it’s okay to feel sad!) It’s no wonder so few of us know how to respond to children’s negative emotions if we don’t know how to respond in a healthy way to our own.

Comment on Validating Children’s Feelings by Carolyn

Carolyn — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:30:52 +0000

It’s a peculiar thing – I have found that the more I am able to validate children’s feelings the more safe they feel to express them. The two concepts really go hand-in-hand. Once the child sees you as someone who understands, the more safe they feel and the more willing they are to share.

Comment on Validating Children’s Feelings by Malisa Rader

Malisa Rader — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:30:43 +0000

Great post! I especially appreciate you pointing out that the child felt safe enough to begin expressing true emotions and feelings. We often forget this piece in the moment and it’s a good reminder as we work to support the children in our care.

Comment on Validating Children’s Feelings by MamaMoo

MamaMoo — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:41:07 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. Even as adults we want to know that people understand why we are feeling a particular emotion. We don’t want generic answers and neither do kids. A great reminder, thx

Comment on I Got a Kitty Cat for Christmas! by Tammi

Tammi — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:10:08 +0000

Terry, the children are doing well with the cat. Liv especially has been very responsible about her food, water and litter. She even cleans it without being asked. Levi, however, is another story. When it comes to the litter he says, “You’re the one who asked for her, so you get to clean it!” Hilarious. Thanks for your comment – one cat lover to another. : )

Comment on I Got a Kitty Cat for Christmas! by Terrry

Terrry — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:01:49 +0000

What an adorable kitty! I wholeheartedly agree that children learn much from having a pet to care for as well as enjoy!!! Terry

Comment on I Want a Cat for Christmas! by I Got a Kitty Cat for Christmas! | Blink–And They're Grown

I Got a Kitty Cat for Christmas! | Blink–And They're Grown — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:13:45 +0000

[...] at Thanksgiving, I blogged about how a kitty cat was at the top of my daughter’s Christmas wish list. At the time, my husband and I were still [...]

Comment on Santa Has Elves, We Have Retailers! by Tammi

Tammi — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:38:19 +0000

Thanks for reading. I do express love in this way but also share with my children how important it is to give during this season. They have both chose ornaments from the Giving Tree at school and gave gifts to children who may not have as much as they do (once again – bargains at retailers help with this!). We’ve also spent time with someone who doesn’t have a family and included them in our activities – those without a cost and with. As much as they’ll enjoy getting, they’ve experienced the value of being on the other end. .