Some people say there are only 4 basic emotions -- sad, mad, glad, and afraid. These simplistic list may seem too short to cover the vast range of all the feelings you might encounter in a single day. Yet when you think about a feeling long enough, it can often be boiled down to some variation of one of those four. And that's the first tip -- identify what you're feeling. Feeling embarrassed is a form of feeling scared. Frustration is a form of feeling mad. Naming the feeling that's bothering you is a first step in understanding and coping with it. The second tip is to reality check the name. Is it really fear you are feeling, or is is there anger underneath? Maybe it's both? Whatever it i
Do you have young children who seem determined to boldly investigate everything and anything that catches their attention? Good for you! While that no doubt keeps you on your toes as a parent, it's a golden opportunity to reinforce healthy curiosity while also teaching appropriate regard for safety. Appropriate is the key qualifier there. Kids are natural explorers, and often as toddlers show a fearlessness that both amazes and dismays parents. Especially in today's world when safety concerns are justifiably heightened, it's important to balance your own worries for your child's safety so that your anxiety doesn't overly impact their urge to reach out to the world. Worry can indeed be contag
