Two Things to Help Families with Big Feelings

Do you ever have so many big feelings in your house you start to lose your mama mojo?

➳ Toddlers going through the "no" phase over and over again?
➳ Little kids always wanting waffles when all you've got is pancakes?
➳ Big kids starting to ask big questions every. single. night?
➳ Tweens and teens taking all their hormones out on you?
➳ (and seriously, what is it with COVID again right now?)

We want a great family life – and loads of fun family togetherness – but we don't always know how to handle big feelings from our people.

Guess what? They don't know how to handle them either.
(and neither does that mom you think has it all together)

The good news is we can boost our family togetherness even in big feelings seasons with just a little help. I found it in the form of two pretty little downloads on iMOM.


Here they are – the two printables I've got on my desk & fridge right now to help with all the big feelings:

#1 - The Feel Wheel (there's even a little kid version too)
I saw this a few weeks ago and immediately printed it for my fridge. I didn't say a word – just slapped it up there and watched every person in my family notice it for themselves. We'll talk about it once school cranks up again next week I'm sure, but for now, I think it's helping us recognize our big feelings. (Since my kids are teenagers, I added a white box over the age range before printing it so it's clear it's something for all ages.)

#2 - 30 Encouraging Phrases from Parents to Kids (& parent to parent too)
I'm gonna be honest with you, I feel guilty for having to get help finding encouraging words to say to my kids, but sometimes I just run out of words. So when I saw this printable, I downloaded it and stuck it on my desk where I'll see it every day. My favorites are "I know you can figure this out" and "I'm here if you need me". I read at least part of it most days and it's helped me find encouraging words when I need them. I hope it does the same for you.

(And just in case you have a teenager who won't listen to anything you say right now, here's a little something extra I'm loving this week)


I bet you already know this part is coming – I know you've got this.
You've already done so much, been through so much, and come this far. This season will pass and you'll all be stronger for it.

For now, hold on tight and know I'm holding on with you. Know you can take time for yourself when you need it and lean into the small things.

Before you know it, you'll be on the other side.

And I’d love for you to come chat in the email group.

We have loads of fun over there, and I send resources like this every Friday morning.