Relationships | Positive Parenting
The Power of Validation
A profound way to strengthen any relationship
Have you ever had someone tell you that you were “being too sensitive” or “overreacting” to something?
How’d that work out for them? How did you feel about them after they said that?
If someone tells me that I’m overreacting it is highly likely that I will also “overreact” to being told that. So, y’know, probably don’t do that.
The Risks of Invalidation
If we invalidate children’s experiences, or encourage them to suppress their emotions by minimizing or punishing them, they will not learn healthy ways to manage those feelings.
We also invalidate other’s emotions when we attempt to logic them out of their feelings, or hurry them along to problem-solving and feeling better before they’ve had an opportunity to express and process their experience.
“Reason is probably not of much value when responding to your child’s emotional expressions. If they express sadness or fear and you try to reassure them or provide information to make the emotions go away, you are likely to make the emotions stronger.” — Hughes & Gurney-Smith
