"I really need to just say what I'm feeling and not try to filter, re-filter, and filter again before saying something."

This is a huge, Huge, HUGE truth for really making progress in therapy.



"I let my toddler cry as much as he needs to. I just hold him. I've learned the importance of containing him with a calm presence."

"validated their feelings more"

"eye contact" and "full attention"

"touched them a lot more"

"empathized with their pain when they were sad or crying, instead of trying to get them to stop their tantrums"

"allow them to make more mistakes without getting upset"

"shown them my anger and reassured them that I love them even if I get upset"

"let them know when I'm leaving, when I'll be back, and to remind them how much I love them"



You've just written a parenting manual about teaching children how to handle the mental and emotional challenges life presents. And of course, it's never too late to do any of these with your kids...or your parents for that matter, especially as parents begin to need more care-taking.

Thanks for the wisdom.
-RT