Tackling Big Feelings at Home with Feel Your Best Self!

We’re in the thick of the winter – the germs are spreading, illnesses are hitting my house left and right, and on top of that, “big feelings” have escalated to an all-time high. With all these obstacles that we go through as parents, it can certainly feel overwhelming. As a mom of two, there are days that I even have big feelings myself! And you know what? That’s okay.

My kids are in the prime age of experiencing big feelings on a day-to-day basis (my daughter is six – though seems to be going on 16 some days – and my son is four). The chaos of school, sports, activities, dinner time, and bedtime crazies don’t help the matter. I know these big feelings and endless temper tantrums are inevitable – which is why I turn to Feel Your Best Self! 

From the very first moment I put on the Intro to Feel Your Best Self video, my kids were HOOKED. They immediately wanted to watch all the other strategy videos and would beg to listen to the FYBS Theme song constantly! While I know it’s not as effective to watch the strategy videos one after another, their excitement was something I couldn’t say no to. 

After their initial excitement and exposure to the strategy videos, I tried to be a little more intentional about when we watched them. I even set a fun goal for myself to have a “strategy Sunday.” Did that work out? Of course not. Why? Because, as any parent knows, life just gets in the way and the amazing “ideas” you think of, don’t always go according to plan.  

The thing I realized though, is that I didn’t need to do a “strategy Sunday.” The videos are so captivating that my kids, even at their age, can grasp the strategies, follow along, and then practice them independently! Eventually, I would love to have a structured morning on Sundays where we all watch a strategy video as a family and discuss it, but I’m not putting as much pressure on myself to make it happen because I know how effective the videos are even when we watch them spontaneously.  

The Best Part… 

Watching my kids respond to FYBS.  

Seeing my four-year-old, who just got diagnosed with ADHD and struggles with managing his emotions, using these strategies after a big meltdown was truly incredible. Usually, after his loud outbursts, he typically storms to his room. One day, I peeked in to check on him, and he yelled back, “I AM JUST TRYING TO GROUND IT DOWN!” Even though he was still pretty worked up, it was amazing to hear him recognize a strategy he likes and understands. That moment felt like a huge victory for me! 

My six-year-old daughter also LOVES Feel Your Best Self! She’s always diving into the Feelings Forecast, watching the strategy videos, and practicing what she learns throughout her day.  She loves playing “teacher” and one time she glued – yes, glued – a bunch of FYBS materials to our piano to set up her “classroom.” My first thought – I definitely need to be paying more attention to what my kids are doing. My second thought – I am SO happy she’s engaging with the FYBS strategies and materials!  

We also have the Feelings Forecast up on our fridge and each of my kids has a magnet to show how they’re feeling. Every night, it’s my daughter who reminds us to check in with how we’re feeling or encourages her brother to do the same when he’s having some big feelings. It’s really a game changer to have this tool to help them recognize how they’re feeling in certain moments! 

One of their favorite parts of FYBS though?  

 Puppets! 

What’s more fun than a puppet-making activity during the holiday vacation?! This activity was truly the highlight of their vacation. With some old soccer socks, a variety pack craft kit – thanks Amazon – and some good old hot glue, they had some great looking puppets in no time! Once they were done, they immediately wanted their puppets – Jasmine and Freddy – to help them try a strategy. Their choice?  Push the Clouds!  

Take Aways… 

Managing big feelings as a parent can be exhausting, stressful, and even hopeless sometimes – but it doesn’t have to be! I’m not going to pretend that Feel Your Best Self is some magic wand that I wave around and POOF the big feelings are gone – but it has most definitely helped. Seeing my kids recognize and use these tools and strategies makes it all a little easier. And that’s not only a win for my kids, but also for myself! 

 Molly Ferreira, FYBS Implementation Coordinator (and mom!)