Warning: Spoiler Alerts! ⬇️
In our fast-paced world feelings can take a back seat. Parents and kids are often not really sure what to do with big emotions when they arise and may see feelings as unproductive vs. helpful to their family. However, the Movie by Disney “Inside Out 2”, has helped many families to rethink the role feelings play and how feelings can actually be our helpers in navigating the world around us better. Here are a few ways understanding and communicating feelings can be beneficial to parents and kids:
Better Emotional Health- Acknowledging and expressing your feelings is an important part of emotional health. When you understand your feelings, you can better manage them, reducing stress and anxiety. Bottling up emotions can lead to emotional outbursts and sometimes even depression and anxiety. By talking through your feelings, you process and often better understand them, which promotes emotional stability.
Stronger Relationships- When you communicate your feelings with people you trust, your loved ones can understand you better, leading to deeper connections and more meaningful relationships. This mutual understanding can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, and overall better relationships.
Improved Self-Awareness- Understanding your feelings helps you gain insights into your motivations, desires, and behaviors. This self-awareness is helpful for personal growth. By recognizing emotional patterns, you can identify triggers and address underlying issues. This understanding can lead to better self-control and the ability to respond rather than react to situations.
Spoiler Alert:
Here are a few questions to ask your kids after watching the movie “Inside Out 2”.
*To not overwhelm your kids and teens try choosing 2-3 questions to ask them
Most helpful for 5-9 year olds
Riley had several islands. What islands do you have?
What emotions do you feel the most often?
What emotions do you think helped Riley?
If you could talk to Anxiety what would you say?
How did Riley’s emotions work together to help her?
Riley’s life changed and her emotions changed all at the same time. What are some changes that are happening for you?
Most helpful for 9-14 year olds
Riley’s headquarters changed because she was getting older. Do you think you are changing as you get older?
Riley had many beliefs. What beliefs do you think you have?
Riley had several islands. What islands do you have and which islands are the most important to you?
Anxiety seemed helpful at the beginning but then anxiety seemed to take over and cause problems for Riley; has that ever happened to you?
What do you think makes up your sense of self? Has your sense of self been impacted by anxiety like it did for Riley?
Written by: Jennifer Wilmoth, LMFT
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