3. When Your Child is Having Big Feelings

In this episode of Navigating the Abyss, Teri and Catherine explore the challenges parents face when their children experience intense emotions. They share personal stories and insights on how to manage these situations, emphasizing the importance of emotional regulation, connection, and validation. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding one's own emotions as a parent and the impact this has on children. The hosts provide practical tools for creating safe spaces for children to express their feelings and discuss the significance of authenticity in parenting.

Key Takeaways:

• It's essential to acknowledge and manage your own emotions as a parent.
• Creating a safe space for children to express their feelings is crucial.
• Validating a child's emotions does not mean validating their behavior.
• The pause before responding can lead to more thoughtful interactions.
• Children need to feel connected and understood during emotional crises.
• Parents should not feel responsible for fixing their child's emotions.
• Authenticity in expressing one's own feelings teaches children it's okay to feel.
• Recognizing the energy you bring into a situation affects your child's emotional state.
• It's important to allow children to have agency in their emotional experiences.
• Understanding your child's feelings often requires recalling your own experiences at that age.

Resources Mentioned:

TERI
Website: https://teripotter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripottercoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripottercoach

[e-mail]

CATHERINE
Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/

[e-mail]

Resources:

- Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary)
- Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur)

Here are a few international resources:

• United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741
• United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123
• Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide.
• https://www.helpguide.org/find-help

Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family.