Do parents think that saying, “Other people have bigger problems” will comfort me? Their parents probably said that to them when they were young and now theyr’re telling it to me 🙂 I don’t think saying those words will comfort anybody. It just invalidates your feelings. Of course, other people have problems, but that doesn’t make your problems any less important. Everyone’s problems come in big and small sizes, but we shouldn’t compare it. We all struggle. And that’s okay. Instead of saying “Other people have bigger problems than you” or anything of those sorts, how about trying to listen and understand your child’s feelings? Respond in a way that doesn’t make them feel horrible or bad for feeling whatever emotion they were feeling. Don’t make it about yourself either. Don’t mention “When I was younger, I hlah blah blah” No, we don’t want to hear those words. We want to hear you say that that you’ll be here for us and that it will he alright. Your chiod probably approached you with this probldm because they trust you. They trust you enough to tell them their worries. Saying those invalidating words will make them open up to you less. They will distance themself from you because they think their problem is insignificant. Well, I’m only speaking from experience. I don’t know how other children feel.
