FeelLinks Blog

In this journey of parenthood, there's a profound strength in unity—a strength found in the collective wisdom and support of parents learning and discussing together.

As parents, caregivers, and teachers, it’s natural to want to shield children from anything that feels scary to them. However, feelings of fear are a normal part of childhood development, and learning to cope with fear is an essential lifeskill - fear is valid and normal to us all.

Children are often seen as resilient - capable of bouncing back after setbacks with ease. However, this perception can lead adults to being dismissive or downplay children's emotions. It's critical to recognize that children experience a wide range of emotions just like adults, and these emotions play a crucial role in their development and well-being.

It can be difficult to decide if, when, and how, to discuss tough topics with our children. What is the best way to approach these tough conversations? As long as your child is ready, it's important for us to support honest and compassionate conversations around tough and complex topics.  

Let's make generosity a natural part of our lives and our children's lives. Together we can create a kinder, more compassionate and inclusive world. Let's find our passions and engage our children to find theirs. 

When we respond to children with patience and compassion, and continuously model healthy strategies, we create a sense of belonging, safety and security. As co-regulation occurs, a child's incredible developing brain, literally creates new pathways and they discover their own capabilities in using self-soothing strategies and eventually learn self-regulation.

Highly sensitive children to highly resilient children. Nurturing our children and meeting their needs; being the best parents, caretakers and teachers, to meet the needs of our unique children.

We should all do our best to create a supportive environment where our children are free to verbalize, process, and express all emotions.

We need to listen to our children and avoid constantly swooping in to be the “fixer” or be the “dismisser” (not a real word, but it sounds good).  Here are four things you can do show your child you are present, supportive and attentive!

Tuning in to our child's underlying emotions can help parents better understand their outward behaviors. Take a closer look at how to be more OPEN with this practice.

"Name it to tame it" was coined by Dr. Daniel Siegel. When we are experiencing heightened emotions, naming our feelings calms our emotional response. Teaching our children to accurately understand and label their feelings are the first steps in supporting them to be better problem solvers.

Not taking "things" in life for granted, means finding and expressing gratitude and appreciation for them. My child's thoughtful, "aha moment", is a beautiful reminder for us all to practice gratitude and be sure to teach it to our children.

Sports, (and other activities), bring on numerous emotions for our children. Parents, we need to be there to 'coach' them through these feelings. Supporting our children's growth in emotional intelligence will help them to achieve goals, have greater focus and foster leadership skills, among many other benefits.