Monday, June 3, 2024

3 Ways to Cultivate Safety & Belonging 🌈

🌈 Happy Pride Month

We want to take a moment to reflect on the importance of creating a world where every child feels emotionally safe, unconditionally loved, and beautifully diverse. At Slumberkins, our mission has always been to nurture emotional wellness for all families. This month, let's celebrate the unique identities and experiences that make every one of us extraordinary.

Here are 3 ways you can create a home that cultivates safety and belonging:

1. Emotional Safety: Kids feel emotional safety when all of their big feelings are welcomed and embraced with empathy. One way to do this is to help little ones notice their feelings and know each one is okay. Try saying, "I see that you are sad. It's okay to be sad." With older kids, you can say, "When your feelings are really big inside, I am here to help you hold some of that. We can work through this together." Having a trusted adult accept big feelings is an important piece of feeling safe. Let's make sure our children know that all of their feelings are valid and that we are here to support them through every emotional wave.

2. Expectations: Whether we try to or not, we all have thoughts, wishes, or hopes for our children. These aren't all bad, but some of these expectations can lead to our children feeling pressure to live out our dreams. One way to ease the pressure is to communicate unconditional love. Try saying, "whoever you are, whoever you grow up to be, I will always love you." This simple affirmation can help our children understand that our love is not contingent on their achievements or choices but is steadfast and unwavering.

3. Exposure: When we are intentional about exposing our kids to diverse stories and perspectives, we expand their idea of what is safe, possible, and life-giving. One way to do this is to intentionally seek out new experiences. Try reading diverse stories from new authors, themes, and cultures, or attend a family-friendly Pride event near you. These experiences can broaden their understanding and appreciation of the beautiful diversity in our world.

Let us remember that our actions and words shape the world our children will inherit. By fostering emotional safety, expressing unconditional love, and embracing diversity, we can create a future where every child feels seen, loved, and valued for who they truly are.

We Are Here To Support:

If you find yourself or others needing support on how to address Authenticity and Emotional Courage with your children as you navigate these conversations in your home, we are offering digital downloads of Slumberkins books and activities at no cost. We invite you to share these links with a friend or someone in need.

Other skills you may find helpful: