Emotions

Well, since this is taking the form as a journal to the kids I think I am going to write some things I've thought about and want to share. I find it interesting to deal with so many different emotions with kids - about kids, how to deal with their emotions, and how they do/don't think about parent's emotions. Kids are at the same time such vast human beings and so small minded. Sometimes they seem to think in the global realm while other times they seem to only see what is happening at that instant. It is a hard thing to figure out which part of their essence to address at any given moment. As a parent, with emotions of my own, I wonder whether they think about or realize that I too have emotions and need to grapple with them. When they say "you're a mean mom" or "you're not understanding me" (or caring, etc) - they can't realize (probably until they themselves are parents) how hard it is to cast away my own emotions of sympathy, concern in order to resolve issues they are facing. When one has a behavioral issue or seems too self-centered, pointing it out to them and giving them consequences can be so difficult - especially once they see the mistakes they made and seem, if only momentarily, to have remorse and want things to be different. How easy it would be to give in and forget the consequences - but would it turn them into better people? Would it resolve the problem? I read this article in the NY Times about children feeling guilt and how it turns them into better people even if those same children don't seem to be able to control their actions -- needless to say it made me think a lot about discipline and feel better at the same time. I'm not sure if this flows but it is some of what I was thinking about the kids.