When my child cries, yells, or melts down, it’s not because they’re trying to make life harder. It’s because something inside them needs attention. Their emotions aren’t a problem to fix—they’re a message to hear.
I used to think I had to quiet every outburst quickly. That a calm child meant I was doing something right. But I’ve learned that emotional expression isn’t misbehavior—it’s communication. Just like hunger signals a need for food, big feelings signal a need for connection, safety, or understanding.
So now, instead of rushing to stop the tears or shushing the anger, I try to stay close. I listen. I validate. I ask, “What are you feeling?” or “What do you need right now?” I don’t always get it right. But I’m trying to show my child that their emotions matter—even the messy ones.
Because when they know it’s safe to feel, they learn it’s safe to be human. And that’s something I never want to take away from them.