In this engaging podcast episode, I’d like to share my passion for enhancing the parenting experience and nurturing happy, well-adjusted children. My primary focus is on developing essential life skills in children, such as emotional regulation and problem-solving.

I’ll emphasise that parenting isn’t a race, and I’ll encourage parents to take the time to ensure their children acquire these crucial abilities, which will support them throughout their lives.

I'll explore the importance of problem-solving and why it should come after emotional regulation in a child's developmental journey. Timing is everything—trying to solve problems while children are emotionally distressed is often counterproductive. Emotional regulation must come first.

I’ll introduce a problem-solving technique from the Westmead Feelings Program, originally developed for autistic children but highly effective for all children. This approach includes three core steps:

Identifying the problem

Understanding the emotions involved and their intensity

Brainstorming possible solutions, categorising them as good or not-so-good, and then selecting the best one.

A unique aspect of this discussion is applying this technique to managing big emotions. When children experience overwhelming feelings, we can treat these as problems in themselves. By using the same structured technique, parents can guide their children in coping with and managing these intense emotions more effectively.

To wrap up, I’ll invite parents to share their feedback and experiences using this method with their children. This episode offers a comprehensive, insightful, and practical guide for any parent keen to support their child’s emotional growth and problem-solving skills.

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Visit my website: www.leannetran.com.au