At the birthday party, your 5-year-old loses the game of musical chairs and throws himself on the floor screaming, "I WANT TO DIE." There are 12 parents watching. You…
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Take the Parenting Test →Why this situation matters
Ver a tu hijo expresar emociones extremas, especialmente en público, puede ser increíblemente desafiante para cualquier padre. Momentos como este, cuando un pequeño dice algo tan fuerte como "quiero morir" después de una decepción, ponen a prueba nuestra capacidad de mantener la calma y responder de forma efectiva. Tu reacción no solo impacta en cómo gestiona esa situación, sino que modela su futura inteligencia emocional.
La psicología infantil nos enseña que los niños, especialmente a edades tempranas, no siempre tienen las herramientas para procesar sentimientos intensos como la frustración o la vergüenza. A menudo, recurren a un lenguaje dramático para expresar la magnitud de su dolor o desilusión, incluso si no comprenden el significado literal de sus palabras. Es en estos instantes donde, como padres, tenemos la oportunidad crucial de validar sus sentimientos, enseñarles a nombrar lo que les pasa y ofrecerles estrategias de afrontamiento saludables.
Considera cómo tu intervención ahora puede ayudar a tu hijo a desarrollar resiliencia frente a las inevitables decepciones de la vida. ¿Estás listo para explorar cómo tu estilo de crianza se alinea con las mejores prácticas en estas situaciones?
The possible answers
These are the options you'll see in the test. One is the ideal answer according to experts; the others fall short for specific reasons. Tap yours to see why.
Tap the option you would choose
What the experts say
John Gottman
Psychologist and family researcher
“The key to 'Emotion Coaching' is to view the child's negative emotions as an opportunity for intimacy and teaching.”
Daniel Siegel
Neuropsychiatrist and author
“Name it to tame it. When children can label their emotions, the physiological intensity of those emotions decreases.”
Devil's advocate
Common objection
But it's so embarrassing, and for me too. I don't want him to be the type of child who makes a drama out of everything, and I don't want to encourage such an exaggeration by validating it.
Why it falls short
Worrying about the 'drama' is understandable, but validating the emotion is not condoning the behavior. It is fundamental for the child to learn to identify, express, and ultimately regulate their emotions. Ignoring or suppressing them only makes them grow larger.
This is just 1 of 100+ questions in the Parenting Test
Want to know your real style and get a full diagnosis? Takes 2 minutes, free.
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