Valentine’s Day is not only about romance for adults, this is also a time when children begin to experience their first crush. As a parent, seeing your child developing emotions for someone can be both heartbreaking and nervous. You can think by yourself: Should I say anything? Do I ignore it? What if they are emotionally hurt?

To be honest, the first crush is a natural part of emotional development and can actually help children to know how to deal with relationships, self -esteem and heartbreak. Here is described how you can handle your child’s first crush and understand more importantly; Urvashi Mushle, without embarrassing her shared by Child and Teen Behavior Psychologist.

You must be thinking, “Wait… my children?” To be loved? already?!”

Yes. Children can begin to experience crush as five or six, although at that level, it is usually praised, “more like Mamma, my teachers are very good, I want to marry her” or “Virat Kohli is best, I love her!” By the age of 8–12, however, things begin to become slightly more severe.

Psychologists say that these early crushs are not just cute, but they are an important part of emotional development. A survey mentioned by Cook Children’s Health Care System found that about 80% of children said they had a crush on a (news room). A crush helps children to detect social relations, understand appreciation and develop sympathy. In other words, it is just practice for large feelings below the road.

Here you should not do it!

No:

● Fric out (“It’s not the age to do so! Focus on school!”)
● Laugh (“Awww, my child has grown up!”)
● Go to full detective mode (who is this? Who are their parents? Have you talked to them? Please tell me that you don’t talk to them more! “)

If someone responds to your first crush, you probably will never tell them anything again. Instead, play it cool. A simple “Oh, it’s good! What do you like about them? “It makes the conversation strange, it’s strange.

So, how do you support your child’s first crush (without overract)

1. Like work, this is not a big deal (because it is not)

This is not a marriage proposal. It’s a crush. It can last a day, a week, or the next best thing! Accept their feelings, but do not put too much weight on them.

2. Use it as a lesson of life

This is a great time to secret some important life lessons. talk about:

Respect: “It is good to like someone, but we also have to respect their feelings.”
boundaries: “It’s okay if they don’t feel the same; Like we do not always like the same things. ,
kindness: “If you want to tell them, think about how to do it in a way that makes them feel comfortable.”

These small lessons will now help them to navigate relationships in future.

3. Keep it fun and light

In India, children often express their crush through small, innocent gestures, share a chocolate, choose the same team in PT class, or create a handmade greeting card for their best friends. Instead of making a big thing, encourage giving place and good friendship.
If your child says, “I want to give him a gift”, then guide them to simplify something, such as handmade cards. This allows them to express emotions in a healthy, age-appropriate manner without feeling pressure.

4. Help them handle rejection (if it happens)

Crush does not always go in both ways, and this is fine. If your child feels disappointed, remind them: “I know it feels bad now, but feelings change all the time. One day, you can like someone else just as much, or more! , Here the goal is to teach flexibility, not the avoidance. Feeling sad about the crush is definitely better than bottling it or feeling ashamed. Rejection is a part of life. Teaching them to handle them will help them deal with great disappointments later; Whether it is a job rejection or difficult exam results.

5. Keep an eye on self -respect

Some children take crush very seriously, and when you promote a confidence. According to a study, children with high self -esteem are better to handle colleague rejection and form a positive relationship in life later. Therefore, make sure they know that their price is not based on whether someone likes them back. Encourage friendship, hobbies and self-love, because no one should rely on the crush for happiness; At any age.

So basically, your child’s first crush is nothing to fear, this is just another milestone in their emotional development. If you handle it with a proper level of humor, heat and cold, they will feel safe coming to you with great feelings below the road.