Source: Awareness Act
While we might take care of our children in the traditional ways, making sure they are fed, clothed, and have a roof over their heads those are not the only things that matter. Sometimes we forget just how important it is to take care of our children on an emotional level and because of this many fall far behind others.
Just because your child has what he or she needs physically does not mean he or she has what is needed on that emotional level. The two areas are not the same and do not go hand in hand, in the ways most think they do. Emotionally neglected children might feel that something is wrong, but they do not normally realize that they are being neglected. They just internalize their pain and continue on as best they can.
We as parents should be teaching our children to deal with and properly manage their emotions. This is not hard to do and will benefit your child for the rest of his or her life. If you’re not already doing the following things, you should start.
1. Ask your children to show you their emotions. Let them express themselves to you. When they seem to have something on their mind ask them about it.
2. Don’t make them feel as if they are doing something wrong by feeling the way they do. They are their own people and you should remind yourself of that.
3. Teach your children to label the things they’re feeling. When they’re mad make sure they know that’s what they’re feeling. Don’t let them go through the motions unable to express themselves properly.
4. Do not squash their individuality and let your children express themselves.
5. Use feeling words when you speak to them. Label your own emotions so your kids will know what is going on within you as well. Don’t leave them guessing.
6. Remind your children time and time again how important it is to talk positively about themselves. When they’re upset they need to know how to remind themselves that things will be alright. They need to be able to motivate themselves.
7. Be willing to talk about the things your kids might consider to be uncomfortable. Sure, sadness doesn’t feel good but it is unavoidable. They need to know that they are not alone.
8. Let your kids express themselves properly. Make sure they have some kind of outlet. This could be music, art, or anything else that they take interest in.
9. Talk to them about how you handle your emotions. They should know that bottling their emotions is not a good thing to do.
10. Spend time outdoors together. While it might not seem like much at first as time passes it will work wonders.
11. Set a good example emotionally, don’t overreact or lash out. If you are handling your emotions properly they will also be able to work towards the same.
12. Make sure your kids know that when it comes to their emotions they need to think before they act. Just because they might feel bad doesn’t mean they should lash out. There are consequences for everything we do.
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