In contemporary parenting, there’s an emphasis on validating children’s emotions to foster emotional intelligence. However, child development expert Claire Lerner suggests that an overemphasis on validation can sometimes be counterproductive. Constant validation might actually hinder children’s ability to self-regulate emotions, leading to increased emotional dysregulation instead of resolution. Lerner emphasizes that while understanding and acknowledging children’s feelings is important, it’s also crucial to recognize when validation isn’t necessary or helpful.
Situations Where Validation Isn’t Required
Lerner identifies five specific situations where parents can forgo validating their child’s emotions:
Intrusiveness: Sometimes, children need space. Constantly probing into their feelings can be intrusive and counterproductive.
Overwhelm: If a child is already overwhelmed, additional validation can escalate their distress rather than calming them.
Prioritizing Tasks: During important tasks or activities, focusing on emotional validation can detract from getting necessary things done.
Bedtime: Extending bedtime to validate feelings can lead to exhaustion and more emotional difficulties the next day.
Timeliness: When punctuality is crucial, such as getting to school on time, pausing for validation can be impractical and disruptive.
In these contexts, it’s more beneficial to address the child’s needs through action rather than prolonged emotional discussion.
Balancing Validation and Boundaries
Lerner notes that some children may exploit constant validation to manipulate situations to their advantage, such as delaying bedtime or avoiding tasks. This can lead to a lack of boundaries and power struggles. Parents should strike a balance by setting limits while offering brief, supportive statements to acknowledge feelings without getting stuck in a validation cycle.
For instance, a parent might say, “I understand you’re upset about going to school, but we need to get there on time,” while guiding the child out the door. This approach maintains empathy without compromising necessary boundaries, helping children learn to manage their emotions independently.
By understanding when not to validate, parents can better support their children’s emotional growth, teaching them to self-regulate and adapt to life’s demands without excessive emotional dependency.