When a child says, "No one wants to play with me," how would you normally respond to him/her?
(A): "If they don't want to play with you, you can always find other friends to play with. Why get upset?”
or
(B):"I know it must be sad and upsetting when your friends don't want to play with you right?”
If you choose (A), this type of response focuses on solving the child's problem and may inadvertently dismiss/judge their feelings of being upset.
If you choose (B), this response prioritises acknowledgement and understanding of the child’s sadness. Parents can create a supportive environment that fosters open communication which helps the child feel heard and valued. When their feelings are being heard, it helps the kid calm down, think and enables them find their own solutions to their problems.
So, which approach do you prefer for your child?