This is so important - thank you for sharing! I have two younger brothers and we grew up in a household with two unemotionally available parents. Showing emotions or being emotionally vulnerable was not safe or encouraged in our house. The result was chaos and dysfunction. Teaching our children (particularly our young men) to recognize, process, and express emotions in a healthy way is so important and will create healthier, happier, and emotionally stable adults. It literally would improve every single issue we face today as a society. If you do nothing else in life, be a safe person for your children and prioritize their emotional development and health. It is so needed - it's a jungle out here!
Now 65, I grew up in a house with seven children, where tears, or crying was considered weak ....My father would threaten or smack us.." Stop crying like a girl..." I stopped crying and refused to acknowledge feelings because in my house, that attracted unwanted and punitive attention. Now a Dad of five children, and a youth coach-I see the difference between crying over a loss and crying as manipulation to get what you want. .like throwing a toy tantrum in target. I celebrate emotions and encourage my kids to express themselves fully, because it's hard for me....a kid crying because he loses a game may eventually transform that feeling into determination, and leadership.. A kid crying to manipulate will realize, it doesn't work in my home...use your words and explain why you want etc..
.One never knows but let em cry..let em feel...let em be themselves
This is so important - thank you for sharing! I have two younger brothers and we grew up in a household with two unemotionally available parents. Showing emotions or being emotionally vulnerable was not safe or encouraged in our house. The result was chaos and dysfunction. Teaching our children (particularly our young men) to recognize, process, and express emotions in a healthy way is so important and will create healthier, happier, and emotionally stable adults. It literally would improve every single issue we face today as a society. If you do nothing else in life, be a safe person for your children and prioritize their emotional development and health. It is so needed - it's a jungle out here!
Now 65, I grew up in a house with seven children, where tears, or crying was considered weak ....My father would threaten or smack us.." Stop crying like a girl..." I stopped crying and refused to acknowledge feelings because in my house, that attracted unwanted and punitive attention. Now a Dad of five children, and a youth coach-I see the difference between crying over a loss and crying as manipulation to get what you want. .like throwing a toy tantrum in target. I celebrate emotions and encourage my kids to express themselves fully, because it's hard for me....a kid crying because he loses a game may eventually transform that feeling into determination, and leadership.. A kid crying to manipulate will realize, it doesn't work in my home...use your words and explain why you want etc..
.One never knows but let em cry..let em feel...let em be themselves