#281: Emotion Surfing

Surfers don’t try to avoid the waves or control them– they learn to glide over them. In the same way, family psychologist Dr. Joshua Straub has developed three steps to help your son “surf” over his emotions, instead of stuffing them down or using them to hurt others. First, empathize with your boy’s feelings. Second, address the behavior. Explain the difference between healthy and unhealthy ways to deal with emotions. And third, problem solve together. Help your son come up with coping strategies,  like walking his dog when he feels angry or reading at night when he feels anxious. Remind your son that emotions are a normal part of life that will ebb and flow. As one professor said, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” For more ideas on raising boys to be godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.