Think back to when you were a kid. Did you stuff your emotions down? Did you let them all hang out? Parenting can be a wild ride, especially if your kids’ emotions are constantly changing. Dads need to prepare for the highs, lows, twists, and turns. Ted Lowe, Bobby Lewis, and Jason Hood think through the safest way to ride the emotional roller coaster with your kids.  

One mistake dad make when helping kids navigate their feelings is expressing too many themselves. If your kids are getting mad, do you react with more anger? If they’re anxious, do you get stressed out? One of the best things we can do as dads is to stay emotionally calm, empathetic, and strong. Often kids don’t know what they are feeling. When we say strong, calm, and empathetic, they only have to deal with their own confusing emotions, not ours. 

Here are a few tips for the next time your child is on that emotional roller coaster:

 1. Be calm.  

If your kid is expressing his or her frustration in a negative way, it’s tough not to do the same. Research shows the more you practice being calm the better you get at it.

2. Be empathetic. 

While you want to be calm, you don’t want to be cold. Just validating their emotions goes a long way in soothing their emotions.

3. Be strong. 

While we want to be empathetic, it doesn’t always mean we need to intervene. Being strong means letting them know what is OK and what is not. 

More Podcasts on this Topic:

Episode 2: How Can I Help My Anxious Kid?

Episode 17: What Is The Key to Raising A Happy Kid?

Full All Pro Dad YouTube playlist

Today’s Pro Move: This week, watch how your kid’s emotions impact your emotions.

Other resources: 

The 1 Type of Ball You Don’t Want to Play With Your Kid

 Do You Have Resilient Children? Think Again.

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