As a parent, are you comfortable allowing your children to express their big feelings? Do you rush to shut down their anger, for fear that you, or they, will lose control? Do you perceive anger to be a negative emotion?
Most of us are uncomfortable with anger and haven’t been given the tools to work with such strong emotions. For many, anger was an emotion that was not allowed to be expressed at home; instead we learned to stuff it away in an attempt to not feel it. This unexpressed anger will eventually come out in other ways; as uncontrollable rage, or as depression, eating disorders or even compulsive people-pleasing.
We have the power to change this narrative! If we can teach kids to be angry, frustrated, upset, or mad, in safe and productive ways, we help prepare them for the ups and downs of life, to be able to handle their big feelings, and develop a strong sense of self-control and to be able to empathize with themselves. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to feel angry AND know what to do with it.
Check out this article Understanding Anger and Teaching Young Children How to Deal With It for more great information about helping your children handle their big emotions as well as tips and tricks to help you stay calm in the moment and to teach your children to do the same.
**If you have concerns about your child’s mental health and you believe they are having trouble controlling their anger please consult with their pediatrician or reach out to one of the providers listed on our mental health resource page.
Refer to our Wellness page for more on ways to support the overall health and well-being of your family.