norudder Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 My 6 year old has a journal I got her. Shes not always expressive of her emotions but definitely has them and I wanted her to have a place to put those when we aren't together because I know her dad tends to not allow expressing anger/tantrums/etc. I think those feelings still need to be validated and handled appropriately to modify the behavior expressing them.ie a journal instead of hitting. My daughter sometimes shares her journal with me. Quirky kid stuff, magic trick ideas, wish lists, animal pictures etc. Lately though she's been drawing some disturbing things showing her sister being in trouble but not helping (this is her drowning. This is me on land) or being killed (this is her being killed by a pirate). She's using the journal as intended so Ive accepted what she's shared but is this normal angry outlet stuff or a little darker than normal? But in real life if her sister is in trouble shell get me. I don't want that to change. Link to post Share on other sites
Tayla Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Norudder, You are setting her on the right path to express her feelings. I would definitely consider her being more at liberty to convey her anger in verbal ways that are assertive and direct, NOT shouting , but strong tones that can be validated at that time. One thing that is an underlying theme in gender raising is that its OK for boys to feel and express anger and NOT cry, and for Girls to Cry and NOT express anger. Seems counter-intuitive to the human body, yet its up to the parents to learn healthy expressions, convey them, and allow the children to experience them in a safe environment. Bless you for being a guiding parent and being alert that perhaps this is outside the norm of expressions... 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author norudder Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Norudder, You are setting her on the right path to express her feelings. I would definitely consider her being more at liberty to convey her anger in verbal ways that are assertive and direct, NOT shouting , but strong tones that can be validated at that time. One thing that is an underlying theme in gender raising is that its OK for boys to feel and express anger and NOT cry, and for Girls to Cry and NOT express anger. Seems counter-intuitive to the human body, yet its up to the parents to learn healthy expressions, convey them, and allow the children to experience them in a safe environment. Bless you for being a guiding parent and being alert that perhaps this is outside the norm of expressions... That's a good point about assertive verbal expressions. I know I need to be better at demonstrating that for her myself. I don't want her to feel she can't say anything and has to keep it bottled up until it makes it to the journal. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
turnera Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 With a problematic father, I suggest getting her a child psychologist. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
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