“Crying is a very healthy and typical part of developing emotional intelligence and self-regulation. We need to be able to process emotions, not just stifle them. When we try and stop children from crying, usually to appease our own discomfort, we rob them of this opportunity to fully experience their emotions and learn how to safely move through them. Crying is a child’s first and most instinctual form of communication. We should not try to silence their primitive urge to cry out for their needs to be met. If you don’t cry as a child for the things you need, you will likely cry as an adult about all things you never had.” J. Milburn. Edited to add: It seems the language in this quote can be misinterpreted. I would like to be clear. If a child’s cries for their needs to met are not acknowledged with acceptance and love, they often develop less than healthy coping strategies, instead of learning how to process difficult emotions. A child needs to feel safe to experience their emotions in a nurturing environment. No child has felt nurtured while being ignored or dismissed, especially while crying. Comforting your child encourages co-regulation that creates the brain structure for self-regulation later in life. But all of us still appreciate being comforted and validated when we are sad, no matter how “emotionally intelligent” we may be ❤️ #responsiveparenting #peacefulparenting #gentleparenting #attachmentparenting #attachment #attachmenttheory #motherhood #parenthood #momblogger #mombloggers #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhood #childdevelopment #childdevelopmentspecialist #parenting #parent #childhood #momlife #mindfulparenting https://www.instagram.com/p/CNHvwTvHjBp/?igshid=1mkkts7e5cme3
