Helping Kids Through Disappointment

No one likes being disappointed, but it's something that's a part of all of our lives. Young people will be faced with disappointment at times, and they might not always know how to cope with or process it. As caring adults, we may want to rush in with solutions to help them feel better, but it's important that we resist that urge and, instead, help youth learn to work through disappointment with our support.

Some ways that you can support youth include empathizing with how they're feeling, guiding rather than trying to fix the situation, and helping them manage their expectations. For more on these strategies and others, check out this PBS article by Katie Hurley, LCSW.

Like with most things, helping young people build coping skills takes time and may be frustrating or challenging.  But don't give up!  Be patient and give both yourself and your young person time and space to learn and grow.  Helping them know how to handle disappointment in a healthy way will encourage them to keep taking chances and opportunities that support their growth and success!