Polly Bath: Whenever we are dealing with a child who is angry, upset, or having a difficult time coping, the number one, first thing we want to do is validate it.

Even before we try to redirect them, we want to validate their concern. Whether you think it’s a big issue or not, validate it.

For example, if a little kid came to you and said, “My fish died over the weekend,” you wouldn’t say, “Well, flush it down the toilet and get another one.”

Instead, you would say, “Oh, that must really feel bad.”

The more you validate a child’s concern or behavior, the better chances you have to interact with them later.

As adults, this is something we often struggle with, validating their behavior.