When the storms began to rage in our home, I had a hard time finding Christian counselors that would deal with young children and were truly in line with God’s word. But we were desperate for help. I started looking using techniques that were commonly used by grief counselors to help kids that had lost a parent. The results were obvious almost immediately.
How to make your own big feelings resource:
My children were 7,6,4, and 20 months when I made first started using this. First, I downloaded free graphics from a Feelings tot-book. I cut out the feelings words and glued them to a large foam board from Wal-mart. Then we talked about the different kinds of feelings that all people have. This is important because young children don’t naturally understand different kinds of feelings and need help putting specific feelings into words.
Next, we talked about how our big feelings can erupt into very bad choices if we do not let them out in healthy ways. We listed some unhealthy ways such as kicking, hitting, punching people. Then we made a list of healthy ways that we can respond to our big feelings. Once we had a new list of ways to deal with feelings, we tore up the list of unhealthy ways and agreed to try not to use them.
Here is the list of healthy ways to express your big feelings:
The last step was to replace the lies that our feelings tell us with God’s truth. We made a list of truths that we could use to remind ourselves.
Going through this process alone, made a HUGE difference in the problems that my children were experiencing. Their feelings were deep and raw and this process gave them a way to express it and cope with the pain.
I made a printable version of God’s truths here. Head over and download it for free.
I hope you find this resource helpful. Please copy it. Share it. Pin it. Post it. It is my prayer that parents in need will have something to help.
How have you helped your children cope with hard feelings? I’d love to hear your ideas.
Kim Sorgius
Kim is just a girl, crazy in love with Jesus. She's a single mother of 4, a passionate homeschooler and life-long student. After teaching 8 years in public school, she traded her M.A. in Early Childhood for sippy cups and homeschool co-ops. Kim is the owner and editor of The Homeschool Village and Not Consumed where she encourages others to rest victoriously in the hands of God, rather than allowing life's difficult circumstances to consume.
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Kim, you did a fabulous job! This is an excellent resource and I hope that the Lord will use it to bring healing not only to you and your children but also to the many who will see it.
thanks for the idea…I think this may really help my 4 yr old and me
This is awesome, Kim! Love it.
found your blog through Pinterest and really love some of your ideas. Just last night I wrote a blog that kind of touches on some of this. I love that you have the printable truths, have it already printed out. Thanks for sharing! It just helps so much to get new ideas. http://mommysstrugglesandsnuggles.blogspot.com/
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing, Marissa!
this is SOO good! I’m pinning one about feelings today too. helping kids deal with emotions. such a great topic for parents to talk about!