When your child is really mad — dismissing their big emotions or trying to talk to them about “using nice words” is not going to be effective or what your child needs.
When children feel out of control, it is essential to set clear boundaries. This actually reduces their stress and distress, even as they test and resist those boundaries. The boundaries are there to keep them and others around them safe.
Even though children push back against boundaries, knowing that you will keep them safe does promote a baseline feeling of calm. Once you do this consistently, they will know they can rely on it.
Venting that helps to release pent-up emotion is an ideal way to help your child learn to express their anger in a healthy way. Silly venting, like stomping like a dinosaur, helps release anger and stress.
Ultimately all emotions have a function. Frustration can bolster persistence, sadness can encourage withdrawal during a time when your immune system may be compromised, and so on.
@drashleysoderlund
4. Help Your Child Understand and Harness Their “Mad Energy”
Reading a book about anger, playing a game about anger, or telling a story about a time you were angry and what you did are great ways to teach children to understand and manage their anger.