Our little kids come with big emotions—too big, it sometimes seems, for their little bodies. And sometimes (often?) those feelings just come bursting out in bizarre and irrational behaviors.

As parents, this can bring out the bizarre and irrational in us as well, despite our best intentions to stay calm and level-headed.

Georgia Anderson of knowhowmom.com is a wife, mother, stepmother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She has taught parenting classes for three decades and is a Certified Active Parenting Instructor and a Gottman Trained Educator.

Georgia has become my dear friend and mentor, and I'm so happy to be re-airing our interview today. As part of my break this month (or my "pause"--see last week's episode), I want to recommit to staying calm and coaching my two amazing kids through their big emotions. This is the type of parent that I truly want to be!

In this episode, Georigia walks us through three of the steps to “emotion coach” our children through their big emotions:

 
1) Notice and validate emotions when they are small.

2) Put words to emotions--phrased tentatively, so a child can feel ownership to correct you. Ex: "It seems like you are frustrated that your sister isn't sharing with you. Is that right?"

3) Set limits and problem solve. (All feelings are acceptable, but not all behaviors are acceptable.)

 
There are so many gems and insights in this episode, as Georgia walks me through a specific scenario when my six-year-old son got extremely angry.  I think it will be helpful for you to hear me coached on how I can coach him.  I have applied these steps in the year since this interview was originally recorded, and it has honestly changed my relationship with my son.  Please listen!

Notes

Georgia has recently announced "Know How Coach," an online course focused on creating more joy and connection in your parenting journey. It’s a combination of recorded workshop sessions and live online group facilitation. (So you can be individually coached by her, like I was in this interview!) Visit her website for more information or to register.

Both myself and my assistant, Molly, have personally attended her classes and can attest to the powerful tools, storytelling, wisdom, and direction Georgia has to offer.

Georgia’s website: knowhowmom.com

Georgia’s Instagram: @knowhowmomtips

Parenting is not all Georgia is passionate about-- check out her upcoming "Us Elevated" Workshop on May 3-4 in SLC, Utah to strengthen your marriage through this Gottman 7 Principles workshop.

Book Recommendation: Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol K. Truman