18/12/2025
➡️ When we’re about to address a difficult conversation or conflict with our child or teen, we don’t have to begin with
“I’m sorry, honey, but…”
As parents, our role is to guide and protect. We don’t need to apologise for decisions made in the interest of our child’s safety or wellbeing.
What does matter is how we begin ⬇️
✅ Starting with emotional validation helps our child feel seen and understood:
✅ “I hear your frustration.”
✅ “I kniw how disappointed you are.”
✅ “I know how much this means to you - and that your friends are all going.”
❤️ When we lead with empathy, we help regulate their emotions. From there, we can calmly and confidently hold the boundary.
Validation isn’t agreement.
It’s connection first… limit second.
✨ You can be warm, attuned and firm at the same time.
If you’d like support building these skills and navigating hard moments with more confidence and connection, I offer parent support sessions grounded in emotion focused parenting. Reach out via DM to learn more 🤍
