Feelings Are Normal!

We've all been experiencing lots of different feelings the past few months, and young people are no exception. Especially now with the school year about to begin, it's important to encourage young people to talk about their feelings.  As caring adults, we can model this by sharing our own.

Young people have a right to feel everything they're feeling. Listen fully and with understanding when young people talk to you about their feelings or express them in other ways.  Know that, by sharing, they're demonstrating that they trust you. You can show that you care by acknowledging the strength it takes them to notice and confront their feelings and help them channel it in healthy ways.

Fred Rogers spoke a lot about feelings and the importance of talking about them and listening. For more about his thoughtful and compassionate approach to this, check out this newsletter from the Fred Rogers Center.