Helping Your Child Handle Big Feelings

Parenting is an incredible journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless questions. One common concern among parents is how to help their children navigate and regulate their emotions, especially when faced with significant challenges. In this enlightening episode, we had the pleasure of talking to Kim T.S., a devoted mom and children’s book author, whose books have become a source of support for both children and parents dealing with the complexities of big feelings.

Kim’s Story

Kim embarked on her journey of writing books when her son, Kyle, was three years old and struggled with intense temper tantrums. Recognizing the need for a unique approach to help Kyle cope with anger and other emotions, Kim turned to the power of storytelling. She involved Kyle in the creative process, making the characters in her books reflections of his cousins, creating a personal and relatable connection.

The First Book: “Feeling All My Feelings”

The first book, “Feeling All My Feelings,” became a collaborative project between Kim and Kyle. They read the story together during challenging moments, providing a safe space for Kyle to express and understand his emotions. The positive impact on Kyle’s emotional regulation prompted Kim to share their journey with others by publishing the book.

Expanding the Series

As Kyle grew, so did the range of emotions he faced. Kim’s subsequent books, including “Feeling All My Anger,” “Feeling All My Fear,” and “Feeling All My Worry,” addressed various emotional challenges children encounter. The most recent addition, “Feeling All My Grief,” emerged from Kim’s personal experience of coping with her father’s passing.

Parental Involvement and Self-Awareness

A key aspect of Kim’s approach was involving Kyle in the process, fostering self-awareness and active participation in managing his emotions. She shared a heartwarming story about Kyle creating his own “Rules of Anger,” showcasing his evolving self-awareness and coping strategies.

Navigating Challenges

Kim acknowledged the challenges she faced, especially during Kyle’s “Hulk” moments at ages four to five. These intense episodes required patience, understanding, and a commitment to finding effective coping mechanisms. Kim emphasized the importance of remaining calm as a parent and the significance of guiding children through the process of emotional regulation.

Tips for Reading with Kids

Kim shared her love for books and highlighted the importance of finding joy in the reading experience. From engaging voices to interactive storytelling, Kim encouraged parents to enjoy the process, fostering a love for books in their children. She also emphasized the value of choosing books that align with a child’s interests and humor preferences.

Encouragement for Gentle Parenting

Addressing common misconceptions about gentle parenting, Kim emphasized the need for consistent and loving boundaries. She reassured parents that the journey might be challenging, but with patience and guidance, children can develop lifelong skills in handling their emotions.

Conclusion

In this insightful conversation, Kim offered a glimpse into her journey of creating books that not only helped her son but also became a source of support for countless other families. The collaboration between Kim and Kyle not only resulted in valuable resources for emotional regulation but also emphasized the power of storytelling in nurturing children’s emotional intelligence. As parents, we can learn from their experience and embrace the journey of guiding our children through the beautiful tapestry of emotions.

About Kim T.S.:

Starting her career as a Management Consultant in New York, Kim explored vibrant locations such as NYC and Hawaii. However, her heart always remained in the Philippines, her true home. Following the loss of her father in 2019, she chose to prioritize raising her son, Kyle, who, at the age of 3, grappled with anger issues.

In an effort to guide him, she turned to writing, aiming to convey the importance of acknowledging emotions without succumbing to them. Despite lacking formal psychology training, her extensive self-study in emotional regulation, parenting, and self-help reflects her personal struggles. Driven by a passion to provide the best for her child, she aspires to share their journey of navigating significant emotions, hoping others will join them in overcoming challenges together.