Helping Children Manage Big Emotions
ParentEdge|March - April 2021
Parenting is a roller-coaster ride filled with loads of fun as well as moments where we feel as if we are walking on eggshells. When our child has an outburst, we either make frantic attempts to soothe them or end up having a fit ourselves. Though it appears as if we are stumbling in the dark when it comes to understanding our child's emotions, there is still hope. When armed with information about how to help them deal with their emotional challenges, we will be able to sit back and enjoy this ride. Read on.
Dr.Nisha Vidyasagar
Helping Children Manage Big Emotions

Young children are often beset by strong emotions. Emotional challenges are a part of growing up and uncomfortable situations tend to elicit a mixed set of reactions in children ranging from anger, sadness, fear and worry. A toddler who loses her toy; a middle schooler who is ignored by his friend; a teenager dealing with being over-weight - all experience big emotions that require regulation. In some children, the reactions are instantaneous and intense while in others the distress builds up over time before leading to an outburst. How we react to our child’s emotions has an impact on their ability to handle their innermost feelings. As parents, we thus have a responsibility to help our child develop emotional intelligence for them to cope with the highs and lows of life.

Useful questions to ask ourselves

Before proceeding to read through the next few pages, it helps to think of the following questions:

» How do we know that our child is overwhelmed or stressed?

» What are the triggers for stress?

» What do we do to help the child feel calm? Does it work?

» What more can we do to help the child feel calm?

Building Emotional Resilience

Consider these scenarios:

» A four-year-old’s ice-cream melts and falls on the ground. She looks shocked but instead of bursting into tears, she composes herself and calmly asks whether she can have another.

» A 10-year-old’s playdate cancels at the last minute. He is angry and disappointed but instead of yelling he takes out a book and reads.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PARENTEDGEView all
Releasing Your Teens From Internet Lockdown
ParentEdge

Releasing Your Teens From Internet Lockdown

The new normal demands a large chunk of time to be spent online. For teenagers, time spent in online classes, assignments, project work, homework, tests and exams - all these add up to many hours a day, glued to screens. Furthermore, the current generation's usage of social media and online gaming is increasing day by day. So is parental anxiety about their children's wellbeing. How do parents help their teens and themselves?

time-read
5 mins  |
March - April 2021
Helping Children Manage Big Emotions
ParentEdge

Helping Children Manage Big Emotions

Parenting is a roller-coaster ride filled with loads of fun as well as moments where we feel as if we are walking on eggshells. When our child has an outburst, we either make frantic attempts to soothe them or end up having a fit ourselves. Though it appears as if we are stumbling in the dark when it comes to understanding our child's emotions, there is still hope. When armed with information about how to help them deal with their emotional challenges, we will be able to sit back and enjoy this ride. Read on.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March - April 2021
 HANDLING Fussy Eaters
ParentEdge

HANDLING Fussy Eaters

Fussy eating is a part of normal childhood development — how we handle it will influence our children's future eating habits. Many mothers struggle with their children's eating habits. Some children are fussy eaters, while others are not as troublesome; so is fussy eating something to do with the child, or parents, or both? There is no one right answer, but there are things we can do so as to not fuel this problem further. Read on for some tips on dealing with your child's fussy eating.

time-read
7 mins  |
March - April 2021
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES: 6 TO 16 YEARS
ParentEdge

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES: 6 TO 16 YEARS

As parents, we eagerly look for the early milestones in our child's life - the first step, the first word. There are other equally important markers, rites of passage into independence, when our children are primary schoolers, adolescents or teens. What are these? When do these typically happen? What should a parent be watchful about? Read on. A child learns to ride a bicycle A teenager takes the local train by himself for parents, these milestones are as important as teaching opportunities as they are occasions to rejoice (with a sense of apprehension, of course). Let us examine some of these:

time-read
6 mins  |
March - April 2021
Cooking up stories together
ParentEdge

Cooking up stories together

Children and stories go together like birds and the open sky. Stories offer a place to soar uninhibited and unrestrained in their flights of imagination.

time-read
5 mins  |
March - April 2021
Books for Children
ParentEdge

Books for Children

Book Reviews

time-read
3 mins  |
March - April 2021
Preventing Obesity In Children
ParentEdge

Preventing Obesity In Children

Obesity in childhood has wide-ranging consequences hypertension, cardiac issues, emotional disturbances such as inappropriate behaviour, relationship problems, depression or an inability to learn.

time-read
2 mins  |
January - February 2021
Managing Exam Stress With Ayurveda
ParentEdge

Managing Exam Stress With Ayurveda

Stress and anxiety could hinder the thinking capability of students, especially in the times of pandemic when there is so much uncertainty around. For teenagers, appearing for exams is not just about the exam preparation but also about taking all the necessary precaution to safeguard their health. Read on.

time-read
4 mins  |
January - February 2021
Safety Products for Children
ParentEdge

Safety Products for Children

It is an undeniable fact that young children are our greatest treasure. The way they are nurtured and protected will have a huge impact on their future as well as society as a whole. So, is it not our foremost duty to safeguard them? Of course it is. That’s why we have featured below a list of products that will not only ensure your child’s physical safety but also give you peace of mind!

time-read
2 mins  |
January - February 2021
Boosting Immunity In Children
ParentEdge

Boosting Immunity In Children

Children who learn to love physical activity in all of its forms will grow up to be adults who are active.

time-read
2 mins  |
January - February 2021