https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:40:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2490876 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 16:59:05 +0000 yoursilverlining 2490876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: This popped up on my FB feed this afternoon and I thought of you! </p> <p><a href="http://blogs.psychcentral.com/stress-better/2016/03/49-phrases-to-calm-an-anxious-child/" rel="nofollow">http://blogs.psychcentral.com/stress-better/2016/03/49-phrases-to-calm-an-anxious-child/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2490863 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 16:55:16 +0000 Torchwood 2490863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: If you have the time/interest, Connected Parenting is a spectacular book that has a lot on helping kids deal with rough times. A lot of it was things I did some already with people in my life, but it helped with knowing why it works and how to do it best. It's been the most useful book I've read for any relationship, not just as a parent (and yes, I use it with my 8mo. We acknowledge her feelings too!).</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Connected-Parenting-Loving-Limits-Strong/dp/1583333940" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Connected-Parenting-Loving-Limits-Strong/dp/1583333940</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2490019 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 11:08:56 +0000 LovelyPlum 2490019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some great ideas above!!</p> <p>One thing on the photos: when I was 7, we moved, and my parents took a bunch of pictures of our old house. My mom actually had to hide them from us for a while, because they made us sob. That's not to say she would have the same reaction, but I thought I should throw it out there. She may just need some time after she moves schools before seeing pictures of the old school again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489640 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 09:01:06 +0000 winniebee 2489640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: That's a great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489639 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 09:00:03 +0000 mediagirl 2489639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: @MamaG: @looch: @Torchwood: right. Great points. I need to be better about asking her about her feelings. I think she is trying to hide her sadness from us. </p> <p>@Mrs. D: @winniebee: @MenagerieMama: I sent in my old cell phone this morning. I trust her primary teacher and she said she would take a bunch of photos for me. She even said she would let my daughter take pictures with it, if she wants to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489438 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 23:37:21 +0000 hummusgirl 2489438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others to let her feel her feelings. This is a good life lesson to learn too - new situations and transitions can be hard, and you can be afraid/sad, but after a while you get through it and are stronger for it. (I think JL said something like that, at least!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489398 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 22:53:41 +0000 daniellemybelle 2489398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: That is so sweet - good mama :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489291 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:30:59 +0000 mrbee 2489291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So many great ideas above!!</p> <p>The one thing that always helped us with school transitions it to set up playdates with soon-to-be classmates. That really helped with my son's transition into Kindergarten! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489265 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:43:32 +0000 MenagerieMama 2489265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe making something to commemorate her old school? Bring one of those stuffed toys kids can sign or a book or something? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489258 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:31:15 +0000 winniebee 2489258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. D: I like this idea! My sons old school made a book for him with photos of each kid. And he got to lead circle time his last day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489164 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:41:59 +0000 Mrs. D 2489164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How about giving her current teacher a displosable camera so she can take pictures with her friends and make a book about her friends so she can bring them with her, and then she can add pages to the book for her new friends when she starts at the new school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489110 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:55:33 +0000 Torchwood 2489110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to say what @winniebee said. Trying to push that it'll be great could make her feel like her feelings aren't valid or don't matter. The most important thing is exactly what she said, that you tell her it's okay to be sad. Mirroring her feelings, "you're really going to miss it, I would too" is a good tool. I use that stuff on adults all the time and it always helps. People like to be heard, no matter their age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489048 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:21:33 +0000 mediagirl 2489048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: I'm going to use both things. Thank you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489045 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:18:58 +0000 yoursilverlining 2489045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's a Daniel Tiger episode about how "it's ok to be sad sometimes" and working through feelings of sadness (I feel like I'm always shilling for DT, but he helps a lot in our house). </p> <p>LO and I also developed this "game" for dealing with sadness. Whenever she is sad at drop-off, we each pick something on our clothes to touch which is "special" (can be anything - a button, a particular part of the design on the shirt, etc.). I told her because that is a special button/whatever, I can sense when she is touching it with my mom powers and I will think of her and send her a hug though the sky to make her feel better. </p> <p>It might just be the refocusing on something tangible, but when LO started getting worked up and nearing tears, this really helps her to calm and refocus. And her teacher mentioned LO has talked about that in class, so it seems to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489044 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:18:22 +0000 mediagirl 2489044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaG: nope. She just tells her teacher she doesn't want to go. And then cries.<br /> @winniebee: I like that (from your old buddy)"it's a change, it's ok to be excited and it's ok to be sad. We've decided this will be a good place for you" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489034 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:08:49 +0000 winniebee 2489034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: also i think it helped us to acknolwedge that it was ok to be sad about it and also to be happy about it. and not to hype him up for it "you're going to LOVE IT." My old buddy Janet Lansbury says that kids can sense when you are trying to talk something up / push them to like it. Instead, just be like, "it's a change, it's ok to be excited and it's ok to be sad. We've decided this will be a good place for you" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489021 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:00:12 +0000 MamaG 2489021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has she been able to express why she is sad? </p> <p>Do books work for her in working though emotions? There is a Berenstain Bear book about starting school. While not exactly the same scenario, maybe it would help her get more comfortable. I'm sure there are other books for this topic as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489016 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:58:16 +0000 Mamaof2 2489016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: gosh, I feel like that's all you can do! :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489014 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:55:41 +0000 mediagirl 2489014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: she did. It was a little confusing at the time, I'm sure because we went to two rooms to see the preschool and pre-k rooms. I'm sure that didn't help her. But she did seem to take to the room she will be starting in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489013 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:53:41 +0000 looch 2489013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just let it be, she's expressing normal feelings. I have noticed when I try to make things better for my son, I just add to the problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489012 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:52:28 +0000 Mamaof2 2489012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: did she meet the teacher and her classmates? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489011 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:51:47 +0000 mediagirl 2489011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: @pregnantbee she has been! She loved the outdoor area so we talk that up a lot. And the new school is BIG on outdoor time - their goal is 2-3 hours outside a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489007 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:50:12 +0000 winniebee 2489007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you take some pics of the new school classroom to show her and remind her of the new space?</p> <p>T was super clingy and emotional before our move and his school change in December. It was rough, but after a few weeks in the new home and new school it was totally fine! Hang in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489006 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:49:51 +0000 pregnantbee 2489006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Ditto @Mamaof2: Has she seen the new school? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2489000 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:48:09 +0000 Mamaof2 2489000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: has she been to the new school yet? The unknown can be scary! Take her there and show her all the fun stuff they have! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-a-sad-child-feel-better#post-2488997 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:46:31 +0000 mediagirl 2488997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We told our daughter she is moving to a new school. We have been making a big deal out of it and making it sound like a great place. She is putting on a really good front for us. I know that's all it is because apparently she has spent the past few days at school crying to her teachers and telling them that she doesn't want to go to her new school. She has been absolutely inconsolable the past few days, at least a couple of times a day while at school. Today my husband went to pick her up because she wouldn't stop sobbing. </p> <p>How can we help her? </p>