As we approach the busy holiday season—with Christmas, New Year, and school holidays just around the corner—life can feel a little more hectic than usual. This time of year, often brings joy but can also come with its fair share of stress, both for adults and children. In these moments, recognising and validating emotions becomes especially important.

If you have children or grandchildren in your life—whether as a parent, carer, teacher, or mental health professional—you may have noticed that the way we support kids today has shifted. There's now a greater focus on understanding their feelings, which can make a big difference to their emotional wellbeing, particularly during busy or overwhelming times.

Imagine this scenario: as a child, you worked hard to excel in a school race but came second-last and tripped at the finish line. Other children laughed, and when you shared the experience at home, you might have been met with, “Oh well, better luck next time,” or “You’ll be right.” While well-intentioned, these responses may have overlooked the hurt or embarrassment you felt.

Now consider if someone had said: “It sounds like you tried so hard—were you feeling disappointed about not placing?” or “Did it feel embarrassing when the other kids laughed?” Recognising emotions like this helps children process what they’re feeling instead of bottling it up.

It can also be helpful to encourage children to notice where they feel emotions in their bodies. For instance, they might describe butterflies in their stomach when nervous, a lump in their throat when they want to cry, or a tight chest when upset. Identifying these sensations can help them better understand and release their emotions.

During this holiday season, take a moment to help kids name their feelings, validate their experiences, and encourage them to express emotions safely.

Photo cred: unsplash.com/@kellysikkema

This kind of validation doesn’t just make kids feel seen—it also reduces the likelihood of them acting out in frustration or sadness. With the holidays often bringing disrupted routines, heightened excitement, and occasional stress, helping children express their feelings can set a calmer tone for everyone.

For many adults, growing up may not have included much emphasis on recognising or expressing emotions. Instead, we might have been encouraged to “brush it off” or “get over it.” Over time, these unprocessed feelings can build up and even contribute to stress or disconnection.

The good news is that it’s never too late to nurture emotional awareness—for yourself or the children in your life. During this holiday season, take a moment to help kids name their feelings, validate their experiences, and encourage them to express emotions safely.

The same approach works for adults too: rather than pushing your own feelings aside, try sitting with them. Notice where they arise in your body, and allow yourself to feel them without judgment. If someone “pushes your buttons,” consider what the feeling is telling you and why it was already present within you.

By supporting emotional awareness in ourselves and our families, we can navigate the holidays—and life—with more patience, empathy, and understanding.

If you’d like further reading, here’s a great article on The Power of Attunement: Building Stronger Connections with Your Child

Guest Author: Tamara York (Amity Health Mental Health Clinician - Merredin)