Presentation 8:
DEALING WITH BIG FEELINGS - coaching kids to manage ANXIOUS to ANGRY feelings

Firstly, are BIG FEELINGS normal? Yes, everyone experiences them - even emotionally mature adults! Typically, BIG FEELINGS are bigger and more prevalent in the world of children usually as a reaction to upset, stress or disappointment. Let's normalize these BIG FEELINGS by seeing them as frustrated feelings that are accompanied by compensating behaviours. These compensating behaviours can be expressed as anger, aggression, anxiety, avoidance, shyness, withdrawal, shame, running away, tearfulness, sadness, despair and so many more!

Many parents feel helpless as they witness their child acting out their BIG FEELINGS, inaptly, day in and day out. Sometimes, from a place of love, parents unintentionally use strategies that strengthen their child's strong and distressing emotional responses. There isn't a 'one-size-fits-all' solution to address the array of BIG FEELINGS, but there is a wide selection of great research-based techniques that can help manage it. Learning to manage all kinds of BIG FEELINGS starts with coaching kids to identify the feeling they're experiencing and developing tools to calm down and express feelings and thoughts. The truth is that most of these coping skills are simple to learn, easy to use and effective over time. It is possible is to teach all kids how to cope better with their BIG FEELINGS and bring more emotional steadiness and happiness in their lives.

Mark promises to bring a wealth of totally practical ideas to show parents how to coach their children to tame their BIG frustrated FEELINGS. This workshop invests in you, so you can empower your children!