My kids have BIG feelings, and I’m not sure how to manage them anymore. My oldest goes from 0 to 100 in seconds—like full-on meltdown mode—and my youngest mirrors everything, so it’s like I’m dealing with two mini tornados at the same time. I try to stay calm, but I end up either yelling or feeling completely overwhelmed. Any tips on how to help them (and me) get through these big emotions without losing it?
I’ve been there with my son. What helped was creating a “calm corner” with pillows, stuffed animals, and books. When things start to escalate, I guide him there and give him time to cool down. It doesn’t work immediately every time, but it’s helped reduce the length and intensity of his meltdowns. Plus, it gives me a moment to breathe.
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Big feelings are tough on everyone involved. What worked for us was introducing “emotion cards.” We use them to name what our kids are feeling—happy, sad, angry, frustrated—and talk about what might help them feel better. It’s been eye-opening to see how sometimes just naming the emotion takes away some of its power.
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Totally normal to feel that way. I remember crying in the parking lot the first week I dropped my son off at daycare. It gets easier, I promise! One thing that helped me was visiting the daycare randomly during lunch. Seeing him happy and playing with other kids really eased my guilt. Hang in there!
Ugh, I totally get this. My daughter has major emotional swings too. I started using a timer for “cool-down” periods. She gets 5 minutes to sit quietly, either in her room or wherever she feels comfortable. If she’s still upset after that, we talk about what’s going on. The timer seems to help her realize that the feeling is temporary, and she can work through it.
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I like the idea of the “calm corner” and “emotion cards.” I’ve been trying to talk to them about their feelings, but it usually happens after the storm has passed. Maybe if I can get ahead of it, it’ll be easier on all of us. Appreciate the support!
One thing that helped with my son’s big feelings was incorporating more physical activity into our routine. After school, we go for a quick walk or do a little dance party at home. It seems to burn off some of that excess energy that might be fueling the emotional outbursts. Sometimes it’s just a matter of them being overwhelmed with too much energy and no outlet.
Tough situation. I have to always remember that the behavior is not your child. So separating the two and also there is a reason for those meltdowns. Usually a need of sorts.