Creating an environment where kids feel safe to talk about their emotions is important for their emotional development and well-being.

This is because sometimes, they bottle up emotions that if not properly streamlined and trained, could lead to wrong choices and decisions. We curated 5 super tips to make your kids open up to you about their fears, concerns, anxiety and hopes. Consider it.

Show genuine interest in their emotions 

Give your full attention when your child is speaking. Put away distractions like phones or work, and make eye contact.

Kids appreciate it when they talk and say their gibberish, yet, you listen and respond accordingly. Repeating and validating what they say means you understand and validate their feelings, e.g., “It sounds like you felt really upset when that happened,” “How was it when you responded to the matter?”, etc. 

Try not to criticise immediately

 Refrain from scolding or belittling their feelings, even if they seem trivial or irrational to you. I know it’s an African way to rant before we listen, but we have to calm down and give our kids the chance to first express themselves and also allow ourselves to understand their opinions before offering judgment. Also, encourage honesty by letting them know it’s okay to express their true feelings without fear of punishment or ridicule.

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Share your feelings, too!

Appropriately share your emotions and how you handle them. This also goes to tell them that opening up about emotions and feelings is normal for everyone as a natural part of life. Talk to them about how you manage love, stress, disappointment, or anger in constructive ways.

Establish a routine for talks and responses

Create routine moments for open dialogue, such as during bedtime or weekly family meetings. Try as much as possible to make those calls, send those messages and drop those chats to them. It means you have them in your heart even while at work.

Provide a haven for them to talk

Be sure to provide a comforting environment, say, a physical and emotional space where your child feels secure, like a cosy corner or a special talking time to enable them to feel safe enough to talk.

Let them know that their thoughts and feelings will be respected and kept confidential when necessary. If they don’t feel safe to share their emotions with you right away, don’t pout! With love and the right emotions displayed by you will eventually make them open up.

implement these tips and create a supportive atmosphere that encourages your kids to openly discuss their emotions and relationships with you. You got this!