"Mama, don't wipe off my tears... I want them to flow."
A couple of minutes later a big smile on her face , no trace of sadness.
Children NATURALLY do so many things which many of us, adults, need to remember.
LETTING EMOTIONS MOVE
Unless we stop them.
Helping children soothe and regulate is different than trying to stop their emotions.
Letting them express their emotions and helping them regulate is vital for their emotional growth, for developing inner safety, and eventually for trusting themselves and life.
When my daughter cries, my natural reaction is to take her into my arms and squeeze her body closer to mine. This helps her regulate the fastest and she doesn't need to go into an emotional overwhelm. Body to body warmth. Mother's (or any other caretaker's) calmness and safety helps her reconnect with her own calmness and safety.
When I am not able to help her regulate cause I myself am in need of emotional regulation, Dylan would step in. Teamwork. So important to notice when your partner can't do something and back them up.
Once I asked my daughter: "Why are you crying?"
She responded: "Because I like to cry. And I also like to be angry. It feels good."
"You don't have to tell me," I thought with a smile.
