What's Happening?
Experts Hilary Jacobs Hendel and Dr. Juli Fraga emphasize the importance of parents working through their own emotions to raise emotionally healthy children. In their book 'Parents Have Feelings, Too,' they introduce the Change Triangle, an emotional health tool adapted from the Triangle of Experience in psychotherapy. This tool helps parents navigate six core emotions: anger, sadness, fear, disgust, joy, and excitement. The authors argue that understanding and processing these emotions can lead to better emotional health for both parents and children, fostering a more supportive and empathetic family environment.
Why It's Important?
Addressing parental emotions is crucial for fostering emotionally healthy children. By understanding and processing their own emotions, parents can model healthy emotional behavior for their children, leading to improved emotional intelligence and resilience. This approach can help break cycles of emotional suppression and defensiveness, which can negatively impact family dynamics and children's development. The Change Triangle offers a structured method for parents to engage with their emotions, promoting a healthier family environment and potentially reducing the risk of emotional and psychological issues in children.
