210. How do we help kids handle big emotions with confidence?

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline discusses the high-energy, often “unpleasant” emotions that kids struggle with — the stormy ones like anxiety, anger, frustration, and overwhelm.

These emotions aren’t problems to fix or behaviours to shut down. They’re signals, calling for safety, connection, fairness, or skill support.

Listen in to learn how to:

• Recognize behaviours as the tip of the iceberg — with deeper emotions underneath
• Support kids in pausing before reacting, so they can ride the emotional wave without drowning in it
• Teach grounding, movement, and self-coaching tools that keep the self-regulating prefrontal cortex online
• Reframe frustration, envy, and jealousy into opportunities for growth and resilience
• Understand resentment as a warning of unspoken boundaries and unmet needs

Instead of teaching kids to suppress or escape emotions, this episode shows how to help them tolerate, explore, and grow through them — building self-awareness, confidence, and lasting emotional resilience.

“When we rush to fix a child’s emotion, we send the message that the feeling itself is unsafe. But when we sit with them — quietly, patiently, without solving — we teach that emotions are just part of being human. The goal isn’t to feel better right away. It’s to get better at feeling.”

🛠️ Be sure to grab the emotional literacy workbook https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionaliteracy

Homework Ideas

• Pause Practice: Teach kids to notice a big feeling without reacting. Use phrases like: “Let’s let this feeling be here for a bit.”
• Frustration Flip: When kids feel stuck, guide them to ask: “What’s another way to try this?” Normalize frustration as a sign their brain is learning.
• Assertive Anger Scripts: Practice “I feel… when… I need…” statements to channel anger into boundary-setting instead of explosions.
• Overwhelm Sort: With schoolwork or chores, use a “must-do / can-wait / let-go” list to reduce overload.
• Jealousy Rituals: Create consistent 1:1 connection rituals to strengthen security and belonging.
• Resentment Reset: Teach kids (and model yourself) how to say no, set boundaries, and release built-up frustration with journaling or conversations.

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Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/