What to Do When Your Child Comes to You with a Problem

We’ve all been there. Our kids come to us with a problem (or perhaps, more worryingly, they don’t), and our hurried responses or efforts to intervene only make the situation worse. Over the last 16 years, I’ve had the privilege to work with 3rd to 5th grade girls, and to be the mother of two children of my own. And I’ve found that the key to really understanding the root of the problem, and to creating the kind of environment where kids feel safe to be themselves, to express themselves, and to share their vulnerabilities as well as their strengths, begins with mindfulness, helping us as parents and educators to respond rather than react. The good news is that whether you’re working with a gaggle of 8-year-olds or with your own child, there are a few simple steps you can take toward a more mindful response. The result: kids feel listened to, and feel comfortable approaching you future conflicts and challenges before they get out of hand.