Submitted by Fun_Inevitable_5412 t3_116szaw in LifeProTips
When a child falls and does something that looks like it might hurt, the adults around them often gasp and say “Uh-oh! You fell!” This conditions the child to cry whether they hurt or not.
Many times over my kids have fallen and I resist reacting at all. They often get up and keep playing-deciding for themselves they are ok. If their fall hurt, they will cry and I respond after their first cry with a big hug and empathy.
Doing this has avoided so many meltdowns! I find myself a bit annoyed when other people don’t know this secret.
Don’t condition your kid to cry. Let them decide for themselves how they feel and support whatever the outcome is.