As I expressed in my last article, being an emotionally responsive parent is much more challenging than being an emotionally responsive teacher. Accepting my daughter’s range of emotions within our daily routines comes with its challenges, as does embracing the multiple facets of her personality. Encouraging Maeve to express her emotions in safe ways, as well as modeling how to treat others kindly and respectfully will produce far-reaching benefits. As I encourage my daughter’s social-emotional development, I am laying the groundwork for her success with peers, her self-confidence, her intellectual gains and her ability to problem-solve. The question remains, “How do I move this philosophy from the classroom into the home?”
