Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

To nurture emotionally stable children, you need to teach them not to "sweat the small stuff."
There are many small disappointments in life and you certainly will not always be able to get
your own way.

If your child makes a major deal out of small disappointments, if they are experiencing emotional
outbursts over small issues, they have not learned to handle disappointments in a healthy way.

You have probably figured out that your attitude is a choice. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be sad, mad, and upset. If you choose to be happy, you will for the most part be happy.
Children have to understand that having an emotional fit by crying, yelling, or pouting is not an
acceptable way to handle dissappointment or frustrations.

When your child first has the emotional outbursts - ignore them. Do not give them any attention until they calm themself down. Act like you do not see them. When they are calm, immediately talk
to them and praise them for being calm. If they continue to cry, yell, or pout when something does
not goe their way, put them in timeout. The child must understand that you will not allow the outbursts. The child must understand that they have to handle their disappointments and frustrations by taking deep breaths, talking it out, or finding an acceptable outlet.

One trick you can teach your child is when they are feeling bad, do something to help someone else.
That is an instant mood lifter.

Your mood, your attitude is a choice. Teach your child to choose happiness and they will have a lifetime of happy days.