6. Process the emotions. Once your child is out of the mix and starts to de-escalate, you want to address the feelings. Your child acted on a big feeling or emotion. If he was hitting a friend, he was most likely frustrated or angry. Remember: the behavior is the “symptom,” the feeling is the “disease.” Use as few words as possible. We all tend to overtalk in these situations. Use empathy and your own experience. “I know when I’m frustrated, sometimes I would like to hit as well. But that would hurt the other person, so I take a break.” Give them alternatives: “When I’m frustrated, I like to
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