One of the most frightening moments as a parent is when your young child tells you that something upsetting happened. Your mind immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario, but reacting too quickly can make it harder to understand what actually happened.

In this episode, I'm joined by child psychologist and trauma specialist Jenny Hughes to discuss how to respond in a way that helps your child feel safe, heard, and supported. You'll learn how to validate feelings without making assumptions, why calm communication with children matters so much in these moments, and how positive parenting techniques can help you navigate these difficult conversations with confidence.

Jenny shares a simple three-step framework: validate your child's emotions, gather more information with open-ended questions, and wait until you're calm to make a plan if needed. We also discuss why young children may unintentionally embellish details, how to avoid asking leading questions, and why preserving trust is more important than immediately finding every answer.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why how to validate feelings is the first step when your child shares something upsetting
• How communication with children can help you gather information without leading them
• Why open-ended questions are more effective than yes-or-no questions
• How positive parenting techniques strengthen trust during difficult conversations
• Practical insights from trauma specialist Jenny Hughes on helping children feel safe and heard

If you've ever wondered how to validate feelings, improve communication with children, and use positive parenting techniques when your child shares something upsetting, this episode with Jenny Hughes will give you a practical framework you can use the next time your child opens up to you.

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CONNECT WITH JENNY HUGHES:

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