This is what children need most from their parents - even more than love!

What do children need most from their parents? Some will answer the question with material goods. But fortunately, there are fewer and fewer of them. Still others are convinced that it's love. They are not very wrong in this, but psychotherapists are convinced that acknowledging their feelings is even more essential.

Traditionally, love has been considered the most important element in raising healthy, happy children. While love undoubtedly plays a key role, an evolving understanding of child psychology suggests that there is more to it than that. Generations before us often struggled with the challenge of navigating through their own emotions and, as a result, passing on emotional trauma to their children.

Emotions like anger were often seen as unwelcome at the family table. But as our understanding of child development deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that there is another essential component of effective parenting— validating the child's feelings. Acknowledging and accepting a child's emotions as valid contributes significantly to their emotional well-being by fostering the foundations of security, self-worth, empathy and understanding.

What do children need most?

Children are like miniature adults; their emotional experiences are as real and intense as ours, though often expressed in simpler terms. The path to emotional maturity begins with validating those emotions. By recognizing and acknowledging what the child is feeling, parents lay the foundations for a secure emotional foundation. In the past, certain emotions, especially those considered 'negative' such as anger or sadness, were rejected or repressed. Although this approach was well-intentioned, it inadvertently communicated to children that their feelings were invalid or unimportant. Today, experts claim that accepting and validating these emotions is crucial to a child's emotional growth.

Validation communicates to the child that his feelings are not only acceptable, but also essential aspects of his identity. When children receive consistent validation, they develop a healthy sense of self-worth. This self-confidence becomes a compass that guides them through life's challenges, empowering them to express themselves authentically and confidently navigate relationships. Conversely, the absence of validation can lead to a host of emotional challenges. Children who feel that their feelings are invalid may struggle with self-doubt, insecurity, or an inability to express themselves effectively.

Cultivating empathy and understanding

Validating a child's feelings goes beyond simply acknowledging their feelings; because it also cultivates empathy and understanding. By teaching children that their feelings matter, parents instill in them the ability to empathize with others. This understanding becomes a bridge that connects them to the various emotional experiences of those around them.