https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJSWNMNW
What inspired you to write "It’s Okay to Have Big Feelings" and focus on a child's emotional journey?
I choose to write a story about a child’s emotional journey based on my experience with my son. As a first time parent, I found myself struggling with his intense feelings of frustration at times and I realized the importance of equipping children with the necessary tools to feel secure and learn how to effectively manage their emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. This story aims to address these challenges and provide guidance for both parents and educators in nurturing emotional development in children.
Leo, the protagonist, experiences a range of emotions throughout the story. Are any of his experiences drawn from your own childhood or from someone you know?
My inspiration for writing “It’s Okay to Have Big Feelings” came from my own son. I was deeply moved by his experiences and emotions, which served as the foundation for the story.
The description mentions that the book is not just a story but also a tool for parents and teachers. Can you elaborate on how you envision them using this book?
Sometimes, toddlers may need a quiet space to express their emotions. Teachers and parents can create a quiet corner that allows for this expression in a safe and positive environment. Engaging with “ It’s Okay to Have Big Feelings” can serve as a healthy distraction from whatever is causing the frustration. It shifts their focus to a more positive activity and over time it will promote problem solving. Through this book you can teach children self regulation by recognizing their own frustration, it promotes independence as they learn to take proactive steps to manage their emotions and empowers them to take control of their mental state by confiding in your closed ones. As parents, they can use this book as a way to offer comfort and create a special bond reinforcing a sense of security and trust in the parent-child relationship.
You mention the importance of seeking help when needed. How does the book guide children towards this realization and action?
Young readers join Leo on an emotional journey when his favorite toy becomes stuck. Frustration sets in, but Leo’s mom steps in offering comfort and guidance to help him solve the problem. Through Leo’s experience, the story highlights the strong bond between parents and children, emphasizing the value of seeking help and support from close family and friends as a way for children to learn self regulation and navigate their emotions effectively.
"Being true to themselves is what makes them truly special" is a powerful message. Can you discuss the significance of this theme in the book?
When we pay attention to our emotions, it helps us understand ourselves better. Being true to ourselves means being honest about how we feel and what we believe in. It’s like showing our real self to the world just like how we show our happy and sad faces. So when we listen to our emotions, we’re being true to who we are and how we feel inside. When you are true to yourself, you can be a good friend, make choices that make you feel proud, and it helps others know and understand you better too. So by being true to yourself, you can have a happier and more meaningful life
Finally, what do you hope children and adults take away from reading "It’s Okay to Have Big Feelings"?
That love, support and understanding from family and friends can help us overcome our frustrations and challenges in life. It reminds us that it is okay to express our real self emotions and seek help, ultimately strengthening our connections with the people who care about us most.