My 11-Year-Old Is Finally Talking About His Feelings Instead of Slamming Doors

For years, whenever something upset my son, he would either go quiet or slam a door. I assumed it was normal preteen behaviour. Later, I realised he simply did not have the words to explain what he was feeling. A few months ago, we started a programme that helps children understand their thoughts and emotions. Instead of only telling him to calm down or use his words, it taught him to notice his feelings before they became frustration. The change has been gradual, but it is real. He still gets upset, but he can now say, “I’m frustrated because...” rather than shutting himself away. It has made me wonder why we focus so much on grades and activities, yet rarely teach children how to process their emotions. Have other parents noticed this during the tween years?

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