It’s so hard to see your kids be sad. Our first instinct is often to wipe away the tears and make it all better. But sometimes not allowing them to feel and process their sadness actually increases the intensity over time.
What they really need is your compassionate presence so they can learn to be compassionate with themselves during hard times.
Today has been a sad day for me as my dad entered hospice last night.
I’m grateful that I ordered Aundi Kolber’s new book Strong Like Water. We are both trained EMDR trauma counselors. It was so good to receive from her through the videos you receive free if you pre-order the book, reminders that sometimes the hard is just really hard. I am committed to practicing what she calls ART which includes tending to the needs of our bodies and souls we recognize as we attune to what we are experiencing in the moment.
Today if you’re around someone who is sad, I pray that you would be a positive resource for them, and that means just being present and compassionate. Sometimes even words aren’t necessary. You might give this gift to one of your children or even yourself.
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