Archive · 21 Aug 2026
How Parents Can Teach Children Healthy Emotional Expression
Children notice when their parents are tired, upset, or quiet.
Parents do not have to pretend that everything is fine.
They can calmly say what they are feeling, such as, “I am tired.”
They can also explain what they need, like a few quiet minutes.
Reassuring children helps them know the feeling is not their fault.
Parents can show healthy ways to handle big feelings, such as taking deep breaths or resting.
Children should see the feeling without having to carry adult worries.
Over time, this teaches children to talk about their own feelings and ask for help or a break.
Parenting coach Shivani Tyagi described telling her daughter Ahana that she was exhausted after a seven- to eight-hour car journey.
Rather than hiding difficult feelings, parents can name them calmly and explain what they need.
A suggested three-part approach is to name the feeling, state the need, and reassure the child.
Parents should model manageable emotional responses without making children responsible for adult problems.
Healthy emotional expression can teach children that feelings are normal, temporary, and safe to discuss.
- Who
- Parenting coach Shivani Tyagi and her daughter Ahana are featured; the guidance is aimed at parents and children.
- What
- The article explains how parents can model healthy emotional expression by naming feelings, stating their needs, and reassuring children.
- When
- The example occurred after Shivani completed a seven- to eight-hour car journey; no specific date is given.
- Where
- The example took place at a hotel after the journey.
- Why
- The approach is intended to help children understand emotions and learn calm, healthy ways to handle them.
- Featured parent
- Shivani Tyagi, a parenting coach who shares guidance on Instagram as @parenting_with_shivani
- Example feeling
- Shivani told Ahana that she was very tired and exhausted.
- Situation
- Shivani had completed a seven- to eight-hour car journey before reaching a hotel.
- Three-part approach
- Name the feeling, say what you need, and reassure the child.
- Recommended reassurance
- Parents can explain that their feelings are not because of the child and that grown-ups have big feelings too.
- Important boundary
- Parents should not make children carry financial worries, marital conflicts, health fears, or intense emotional venting.
- Potential lesson
- Children can learn that emotions are normal, can be spoken about, and can pass.