NSA & SRI have alowed me to re-connect with emotions that i have burried for decades. I now realize that I have been socialized my entire life to suppress and disconnect with feelings of anger and sadness in particular.
As a parent, I would get trigered when my kids expressed these emotions as well. I found myself guiding them to be more positive by perpetuating the same socialization that i received as a child.
However, I am now more able to support and encourage my kids when they express sadness, anger, frustration, disappointment, etc. I can see their behavior as a natural part of the emotional spectrum. Instead of telling them to “cheer up” or “get over it,” or trying to distract their sadness with humor to change their state, I can now be calmly present with them as they express their emotions freely and without judgement. This approach is strengthening the level of connection and trust that I am building with my kids.
As a result, our kids now rebound from feelings of anger and frustration more easily and faster than before. They also seem to find it more acceptable and “normal” to feel whatever they are feeling and express it in tears or whatever. I admit that kids shouting in the house when they are angry was never done when i was young and that takes getting used to (trigger check!) but they just seem more comfortable in their own skin.
