By Stephanie Slater MA RCC CCC
As a parent, power struggles with your child can be incredibly frustrating and emotionally challenging. However, it’s important to recognize that your feelings are valid and normal in these situations. Validating your own emotions can help you regulate your own emotions and respond to your child in a more effective way. Here are some sentence stems that parents can use to validate their own feelings during power struggles:
- “It’s okay to feel frustrated right now.”
- “I’m feeling really overwhelmed by this situation.”
- “I’m allowed to feel angry when my child is being difficult.”
- “It’s understandable that I’m feeling this way right now.”
Now, let’s take a look at some academic articles that explore the relationship between validation and emotional regulation in parents:
- In a 2015 study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, researchers found that parental validation was positively associated with emotional regulation in both parents and children. The study suggests that validation can be a useful tool for promoting emotional regulation in the parent-child relationship.
- A 2017 article published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that validation can be particularly effective in reducing conflict and promoting positive communication in parent-child interactions. The study emphasizes the importance of validating both positive and negative emotions in children.
- Another study, published in 2019 in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, found that parental validation played a significant role in reducing child behavior problems. The study suggests that validating a child’s emotions can help them learn to regulate their own emotions and behavior more effectively.
In conclusion, validating your own emotions during power struggles with your child can be a powerful tool for promoting emotional regulation in both you and your child. By acknowledging and accepting your own feelings, you can respond to your child in a more calm and effective way. Remember to be kind to yourself and to seek support when you need it.