Helping Kids Understand and Manage their Emotions

Parenting is no joke, but sometimes it sure does help to laugh about it…especially when the humor is served up along with some sage advice. On Thursday September 19th, parents were treated to a lively and amusing discussion with bestselling author Alyssa Blask Campbell, where she shared practical strategies for helping kids understand and manage their emotions from her latest book, Big Kids, Bigger Feelings.

The event, sponsored by The Friends of the Scarsdale Library, was hosted by Caitlin Murray of Big Time Adulting. Murray, a brilliant and hilarious mind, not only brings a fresh perspective on the chaos of parenting, but she also brought her levity and wit to this important conversation with the authors.

Rachel Stewart Lounder, co-author of “Big Kids, Bigger Feelings” joined Campbell and Murray for the event at the Scarsdale Public Library where they discussed parenting tips for the unique needs of children. The authors emphasized the importance of understanding individual responses through a nervous system lens and how to recognize each child's individual sensory needs and how to provide appropriate support and regulation.

While their book lays out an easy five step method for parents to follow, in Thursday’s conversation the authors highlighted the concept of “sensory sensitivity” and “sensory seeking” and described how different children react differently to sensory stimuli. They went on to stress the role of parents in providing a supportive and regulated environment for their children and encouraged parents to model appropriate self-regulation themselves.

Before taking questions from the audience, the trio covered a variety of parenting topics including the challenge of dealing with children's misbehavior at home compared to the positive reviews they receive at school, the importance of compassion and understanding children's emotions, the significance of giving children control and space to express their emotions, and practical tips for parents to help their children recharge and manage their sensory needs after a long day (just to name a few!).

Though certainly a serious topic, the authors had the packed room laughing out loud and nodding in recognition. Campbell, Lownder, and Murray connected with their audience not just by sharing their expert knowledge, but by also sharing their honest, personal parenting anecdotes…demonstrating that the trials of raising young children is a universal experience.

See here to buy your own copy of Big Kids, Bigger Feelings. From their website: “Big Kids, Bigger Feelings is the guide you need to help your child thrive during these developmentally complex and wonderful years. The social and emotional skills you provide your children with now will prepare them for a lifetime of self-advocacy and stronger emotional intelligence. Campbell’s revolutionary Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP) method, used in preschool and elementary school environments, teaches you how to work with your children to help them understand how they are feeling and process their big emotions in healthy, constructive ways.”

Discover how to:

· Teach kids to handle unkind behaviors and set boundaries
· Help kids learn to regulate themselves when they feel angry, sad, or upset
· Manage technology use in a safe and healthy way
· Navigate puberty, body changes, sex, drugs, and other important topics
· Develop a deeper connection with your child

And to make sure you don’t miss their next fun-filled event, check out The Friends of the Scarsdale Library.