Helping Children Through Transitions
Late summer brings with it many transitions for families–kids coming home from camp or other summer activities and getting ready for school; families with young adults getting set to head away from home or to college. Just like at camp, parents should be careful when considering “rescuing” their children who are undergoing tough times, whether the child is anxious, homesick, or lonely. Sociologist Christine Carter advises parents on helping manage transitions, emphasizing that the seeming “rescue” can often exacerbate the issue longterm, rather than letting them get through it and grow stronger. Carter advises that, “instead of trying to mask or take away kids’ pain, we can help them feel more comfortable with discomfort by encouraging them to ACCEPT their difficult feelings.
You can view her article in its entirety at this link, and/or see the bullets below for the main takeaways.
1. Recognize that their emotions are real—then coach them through them.
2. Don’t encourage kids to distract themselves from their difficult emotions before they’ve acknowledged them.
3. Practice self-compassion and kindness.
4. Finally, encourage kids not to compare themselves to other people!