Hello Foote Community,

Today I'm discussing an article that speaks to the value of teaching your child emotional agility, the ability to recognize and manage their emotional world. The term often used when discussing older children is emotional intelligence. Four steps were suggested; 1)Feel it (give your child permission to experience it). This can be harder than you might think depending on ones own comfort with experiencing their own emotions and how "reasonable" you think the emotion is.  2) Show it. Can be difficult for a parent to give permission if they feel the expression of the emotion is "disrespectful"
or "unwarranted". 3) Label it. Helping your child label their emotions will likely take time and effort. Often you'll get "I don't know" or only the big emotions like anger and sadness. Giving them other choices (with the description) will be helpful.  4) Watch it Go. Help them recognize that emotions aren't static, they move (e-motion) through, they are impermanent. There is no need to be so scared of certain emotions, they will pass.  Finally I briefly discuss the importance of introducing coping strategies to your children; exercise, art, journaling, breathing, stretching, laughter, nature etc. Let them know and experience the fact that they can effectively navigate their wonderful and interesting emotions.

Warmly,
Kossouth

Welcome Foote Community,

Happy start to School Year 2016-207! Today I'm sharing some information about the value and benefit of self compassion in relation to one's sense of well-being. Unfortunately, many of us can relate to being compassionate with others but stingy with compassion for ourselves. The more we can model self-compassion to our children, the healthier they will be.
The link below provides a framework for self compassion and research that speaks to how self-compassion assist us with receiving critical feedback and taking responsibility for shall I say our "uncouth" behavior :).

Warmly,
Kossouth

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CKelbr_v31AbY86_T8PecXSDnlRB9st1MiX5pB4UZxo/edit?usp=sharing

Hello Foote Community, welcome to post #3.

I’ve shared two articles with you today. The first article is about emotions being contagious. It discusses how people’s emotions from ecstasy to depression impacts the emotional state of those in their immediate surroundings and beyond.

The second article is about the value of emotional discomfort, specifically anger. It provides reasons to why anger can be beneficial, from getting one’s needs met to strengthening a relationship. It reframes how we can understand an emotion that is often viewed as negative.

I hope you all enjoy them!

Warmly,

Kossouth

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-wise/201606/emotions-are-contagious

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mindful-anger/201606/is-emotional-discomfort-good-you

Hello Foote Community, welcome to Kossouth's Blog... Post #2.

Today I'm sharing an article the explores the role failure plays in acheiving success. I know there has been a lot of information on this over the last few years. However, this article provides new data specific to parents' influence on how their children perceive failure and respond to it. It offers nice language, strategies and suggestions that parents can use when discussing academic experiences with their children. I found many of the suggestions were pertinent not only in the academic setting but in the socio-emotional setting as well. I hope you enjoy.

Warmly,
Kossouth


http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/05/06/476884049/how-to-teach-children-that-failure-is-the-secret-to-success

Welcome Post!

Welcome Foote community. I'm excited to have an online presence at Foote. I will be sharing information approximately once a week. I will be posting articles, video and books that I think are pertinent to the Foote community.
Today I am sharing 2 articles, the first provides research backed strategies to enhance the well being of ones family. The seconde article is from a parent who discovers her daughter is excluding a classmate and the steps she takes to address it.
I look forward to your feedback/comments regarding the post. If you have a question, please don't hesitate to post it and I will address them as they come in.

Article 1 about tips to enhance a families well-being

Article 2 about a mom's worst nightmare

Warmly,
Kossouth