04/20/2026
I’ve found that big feelings are easier for kids to handle when they have a way to picture what’s going on inside.
Using simple metaphors can be surprisingly powerful. When a child can say, “My thoughts feel like a tornado” or “I’ve got butterflies in my tummy,” an important regulation tool is building: awareness. They’re noticing it.
This is something I really appreciate about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Regulation doesn’t have to focus on eliminating hard feelings, but helping kids make space for them in a way that feels safe and manageable.
I’ve seen how these little images can slow things down, helping kids pause, breathe, and be a bit kinder to themselves in the middle of it all.
You don’t always have to fix the feeling. Sometimes, helping your child understand it is enough.
I’d love to know, have any metaphors clicked for your child?
