As parents, we naturally want to shield our children from pain and discomfort. But sometimes, the best thing we can do for them is to allow them cry. Crying is a great emotional release, and it’s important to let our children know that it’s perfectly okay to express their feelings through tears.
The Healing Power of Tears
Crying can be incredibly therapeutic. It helps to release stress, reduce tension, and process emotions. When we allow our children to cry, we’re giving them a healthy outlet for their emotions. It’s a natural way to cope with life’s inevitable challenges.
How to Support Your Child
- Encourage Them👐 When your child starts to tear up, let them know it’s more than okay to cry. Use reassuring words like, “It’s okay to cry. I’m here for you.” This simple validation can make a world of difference in guiding our children to understand that crying is a great emotional release and one that can be part of their emotional well-being toolkit.
- BE Present🌟 Offer to sit with your child while they cry and just BE with them and hold space for them. We just have to make sure our energy is calm and grounded to not add to the situation. Sometimes, your presence alone can provide immense comfort. Ask them if it’s alright for you to stay with them: “Would you like me to sit with you?” This shows respect for their space and needs.
- Listen When They’re Ready🎧 Since crying is a great emotional release, once the tears have flowed, your child might want to talk. If they do, just BE there to listen. Avoid interrupting or offering solutions right away. Just listen and validate their feelings. You can also start off by asking them “Would you like me to just listen or would like me to help provide solutions? I can do either.” This builds trust and helps them feel understood.
- Model Healthy Emotion💖 Share your own experience with emotions. Let them know that everyone cries sometimes and that it’s a normal part of coping with difficult situations. It’s okay for us to have small cries in front of our children, as a matter of fact, it is helpful for them to see this. But if you are full out sobbing out of control, this may scare them so save this for when you are alone.
Creating a Safe Space
By allowing our children to cry, we are creating a safe space for them to honor their emotions. This not only helps them process their feelings, but also strengthens our bond together. It’s a beautiful way to show that we are there for them, no matter what.
