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.
There is a close connection between mental health and emotional intelligence skills. I will highlight the impact in which understanding and managing our own emotions, and the emotions of others, greatly contribute to our overall mental 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.