Imagine every child has a cup that needs to be filled with affection, love, security, and attention. Some children seem to have a full cup most of the time, or know good ways to get a refill. However, some children can get a little nervous when their cup is close to being empty.
How to fill your child’s emotional cup:
- Play with your child.
- Allow your child to make friendships and keep those friendships alive with play dates.
- Have some one-on-one time with your child. Do something fun together, or even have some snuggles and read a book together.
- Showing your child love and affection can brighten their day! A hug always makes someone feel better.
- Make a connection with your child. These connections show that you’re interested in what your child is doing and learning.
- We always want our children to succeed in what they do. Encourage them that they can do hard things!
- Do something your child loves. Doing what they love to do or what they choose to do gives them a sense of control and they can explore the world around them.
What empties your child’s cup:
- Stress and strain.
- Rejection by peers.
- Loneliness and isolation.
- Yelling and punishment.
- Failing.
- Fatigue.
- Doing something they’re forced to do or something they hate to do.
Some ways children deal with having an empty cup:
- They steal from other children’s cups.
- They misbehave to get your attention and show they need a refill.
- They seem to have bottomless cups or they need constant topping off.
- They can’t sit still for refills or actively refuse them.
- They bounce off the walls when they approach empty.
- They think they have to fight or compete for every refill.