Parenting Tip of the Week: Be Honest About Difficult Emotions
- Eddie Shin, LMFT
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
Parenting is hard, especially in the busy world that we live in. Applying these small and simple skills each week will help you in your journey of parenting and build connection with your children and/or teens!
As parents, we often feel the need to shield our children and teens from our difficult emotions. We may believe that by hiding our sadness, stress, or frustration, we are protecting them. However, being open about our emotions in an age-appropriate way actually teaches children and teens an invaluable lesson: that all emotions are valid, and it’s okay to feel deeply.
Sharing difficult emotions requires vulnerability, but it also fosters connection, builds emotional intelligence, and models healthy ways to process feelings. It reassures children and teens that they are not alone in experiencing tough emotions and that expressing feelings is not something to be ashamed of.
When we openly acknowledge our emotions, we help children and teens:
✅ Learn that emotions—both positive and difficult—are a normal part of life
✅ Develop empathy by seeing how others process feelings
✅ Build their own emotional vocabulary and regulation skills
✅ Strengthen their trust in us, knowing they can share their feelings without judgment
Suppressing emotions or pretending everything is fine can inadvertently teach children that emotions should be hidden, leading to shame or avoidance when they experience their own struggles. Instead, when they see us handling emotions in a healthy way, they learn how to do the same.
Name the Emotion Out Loud
One of the most effective ways to teach emotional intelligence is to verbalize what you’re feeling. Instead of brushing off emotions, simply say, “I’m feeling frustrated because I had a really hard day at work.”
Explain That It’s Okay to Feel
Children and teens often struggle with emotional expression because they fear judgment or rejection. You can reassure them by saying, “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes. It just means we care.”
Model Healthy Coping Skills
If you’re feeling stressed or sad, demonstrate how you regulate your emotions. Say something like, "I’m feeling overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a few deep breaths and go for a short walk to clear my mind."
Invite Conversations Without Forcing Them
After sharing your emotions, give children and teens space to respond if they want to. For example, ask, "Have you ever felt this way before?" or “What helps you when you’re feeling down?”
Being honest about difficult emotions doesn’t mean oversharing or placing emotional burdens on children and teens. It means modeling emotional authenticity in a way that teaches them how to navigate their own feelings.
When children and teens see that emotions are a natural and manageable part of life, they gain confidence in their ability to express themselves without shame. They also feel a deeper connection to you, knowing that emotions—both joyful and difficult—are something you can navigate together.
By practicing emotional honesty, you’re giving your child or teen a lifelong gift: the ability to understand, express, and process their emotions in a healthy way.
Check out Playful Connection Podcast for more tips each Monday morning!
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