Raising emotionally healthy children starts with one powerful habit: talking about feelings. While it may sound simple, many parents find it challenging to begin or maintain conversations about emotions. Some worry about saying the wrong thing, while others just don’t know how to approach sensitive topics. Still, one of the greatest gifts a parent can give is the ability to recognize, understand, and express feelings in a safe and open way.
Children don’t always know how to explain what they are feeling. Emotions like sadness, frustration, fear, or even joy can show up in behavior before words. Parents often see this when a child has a meltdown after a long day or becomes quiet when something is bothering them. When we teach kids that feelings are normal and that talking about them is okay, we help build strong emotional skills that can last a lifetime.
Creating a Safe Space for Conversations
The first step to helping kids with emotions is to make sure they know they are safe to share. This means giving them your full attention when they want to talk and staying calm, even if their feelings seem big or confusing. Children often take their emotional cues from the adults around them. If a parent reacts with patience, children are more likely to trust that they can speak freely.
You can start these conversations in everyday moments. After school, during meals, or right before bed can be great times to ask how your child is feeling. You don’t need a perfect script. A simple question like “What was the best part of your day?” or “Did anything today make you feel sad or worried?” can open the door.
It’s also helpful to name emotions out loud when you see them. If your child is angry or upset, saying something like “It looks like you’re feeling really frustrated” can show them that emotions are okay and have names. This kind of validation helps kids feel seen and heard, even if they don’t have all the words yet.
Helping Children Understand Big Emotions
Children, especially younger ones, often experience emotions in a big way. They might not understand that feelings come and go, and they can become overwhelmed. Helping kids with emotions means letting them know that it’s okay to feel sad or angry, and those feelings won’t last forever.
One of the most important things you can do is avoid rushing them through their emotions. When a child is sad, especially after a loss or disappointment, it might feel natural to say “Don’t cry” or “It will be okay.” While these words are meant to comfort, they can sometimes make children feel like their sadness is wrong. Instead, saying “I’m here with you” or “It’s okay to feel this way” tells your child that their emotions matter and that they don’t have to hide them.
Books can also be a great tool to support emotional understanding. Stories help children see that others have gone through similar experiences and found ways to cope. A gentle story can show them how to process difficult feelings without directly lecturing or correcting them.
When Loss Enters the Picture
One of the hardest emotions for any child to face is grief. When a beloved pet passes away, for example, it may be their first experience with death. The sadness can be confusing and deep, and children often have questions that are hard to answer. In these moments, talking about feelings becomes even more important.
Michelle Lassa’s book In Hank’s Heart Forever offers a beautiful and comforting way to begin those conversations. Written especially for children who are grieving the loss of a pet, it provides warmth, understanding, and reassurance. It helps children understand that while their furry friend may be gone, the love they shared remains forever in their hearts.
This kind of storytelling is powerful for kids. It shows them that grief is not something they have to go through alone, and that it’s okay to remember, to cry, and to smile again. For parents looking for a gentle way to talk about feelings of loss, this book is a valuable resource.
Start the Conversation Today
Every child deserves to grow up feeling emotionally supported and understood. By talking about feelings regularly, listening without judgment, and offering the right tools, parents can help their children build strong, healthy emotional lives.
If your child is dealing with the sadness of losing a pet, or you’re simply looking for a way to talk more openly about emotions, In Hank’s Heart Forever by Michelle Lassa is a meaningful place to start. This touching story helps children understand grief and healing through gentle words and comforting images.
Give your child the gift of emotional connection. Help them understand their feelings, one page at a time.
Get your copy of In Hank’s Heart Forever today and begin the healing journey with your child.