Emotional Tip of the Day
MVP Kids helps provides tools to identify, understand, and responsibly manage difficult emotions. Try working through one emotional tip with your children each day, or take as much time as you need. We want to help your family strive toward emotional health!
Emotional Tip 1: Share your feelings with someone
We’re all feeling a lot right now. With all the changes, there’s a lot to process. Talk with your children about the different emotions they are feeling. If your child has a hard time expressing their feelings, it might be helpful for them to use this formula:
“When ______ happens, I feel ______ because ______.”
For more tips on how to help kids release their pent-up feelings, read Leo’s Pent-Up Feelings.
Emotional Tip 2: Sort the Mail
Your brain is always sending you messages that you need to sort before reacting to them. Sometimes warning messages are important and help you incorporate safe practices like washing your hands or social distancing. Other times, they are “junk mail,” cluttering your mind with false fear. Toss those thoughts into the trash to stop your worrying from getting out of control.
For more tips on how to LASSO worry, read Miriam Lassoes the Worry Whirlwind today.
Emotional Tip 3: Find joy in the process
Stuck at home and losing patience? Try to take a step back in whatever you’re doing and find joy in the process. Stuck in line waiting to buy toilet paper? Find joy in being out of the house for a little while. Slow down and appreciate the little things. Start a family list of the small joys and blessings you find.
For more tips on developing patience, read Annie’s Jar of Patience today.
Find resource links to discover more about developing patience here: mvpkids.com/resources/annies-jar-of-patience
Emotional Tip 4: You are not alone
No matter what you’re feeling, chances are you aren’t feeling it alone. Let today’s struggles help you build a sense of community by being transparent with others. Developing a sense of compassion, humor, and togetherness will help you navigate life’s many challenges.
Find out how Gabby’s community of friends helped her handle an embarrassing moment by reading Gabby Bears with Embarrassment today.
Emotional Tip 5: Encourage others
Encouraging others can help you take the focus off of what you’re worrying about and feel good about helping someone else.
Want to see how the power of encouragement can help you and those around you? Check out Sarah Sizes Up the Insecure Ant today!
Emotional Tip 6: Reframe your thoughts
In the past 24 hours, how many discouraging thoughts have you had? How many positive thoughts? Learning to reframe your thoughts can change your entire perspective on life. For practical ways to reframe your thoughts, read Blake Rewires the Failure Circuit today.
Emotional Tip 7: Reset!
We’ve all done it—realized half way through the day that our attitude has tainted everything we’ve said to others. Next time, try a reset! Recognize when you need to reset your attitude and try to find delight in what is around you. Check out Lucas Tames the Anger Dragon to find out more on practicing a reset with your family.