Kids need to feel seen, heard, and believed. That's why one of the most powerful tools parents can use is validation. When children feel validated, they feel safe. And a sense of safety is the foundation for emotion regulation, communication, and connection.
As a certified child life specialist and licensed therapist, I've supported thousands of kids through challenging experiences -- medical diagnoses, hospitalizations, grief, trauma, and loss. Again and again, I've seen the power of validation.
Any time a child is upset -- whether you agree or disagree, whether you understand or don't -- they need to feel like you believe them before they can shift into problem-solving mode. It helps them move out of their feeling brain and into their thinking brain.