215. Q&A: Does teaching my kid to punch a pillow when they're mad make them more aggressive?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about...

2:15 - Catharsis theory, letting out our feelings of anger, frustrating, or rage with aggressive behaviors (that do not hurt others) can be beneficial.

3:20 - Does teaching aggressive behaviors, even socially acceptable ones like punching a pillow, lead our kids' brains to pair their angry urges with aggressive actions?

7:52 - Working to understand the root of your child's anger can inform how you respond to each unique situation and the strategies you teach them to tap into to regulate their nervous system.

14:18 - If you want to mitigate children pairing aggressive urges with aggressive behaviors, try offering them a wide range of coping strategies so that doesn't become their automatic, go-to response.

17:20 - Going through the full fight-or-flight response can prevent us from storing these negative emotions inside of our body.

20:13 - Finding the middle ground that works best for your unique family - not encouraging explosive behaviors while also not always repressing your child's (and your own) anger.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

Additional podcast episodes on the topic of anger:

204. The science of “mom-rage” and how to use mindfulness as a tool for being less reactive with Diana Winston

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Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!