Children of first responders can have worries for their family members safety and happiness. These worries are natural and normal emotions for children.
Helping your child navigate and manage these emotions builds their resilience and fosters deeper connection. We do this through validating their emotions.
Validating does not mean you confirm the specific thoughts or worries, rather you focus on their feelings. These feelings are 100% real for them even if the thought behind it is not realistic or rational.
The act of validation can have a diffusing effect on the intensity of the feeling.
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