Join the Upcoming Workshop – 
Election seasons can be intense and emotionally charged for everyone, including children. The heightened emotions and stress that often accompany political campaigns and discussions can spread through households, leading to anxiety, frustration, and even conflict. As parents and caregivers, it’s essential to create a safe space where all family members can express their feelings and find ways to handle the stress that comes with such times. By using helpful concepts like the Zones of Regulation, you can help your family navigate these challenging moments with greater emotional awareness and connection.
Understanding the Zones of Regulation: The Zones of Regulation, a curriculum and set of tools developed by Leah Kuypers, OT/R, provide a simple yet effective framework to help children and adults alike identify and manage their emotions. The Zones are color-coded to represent different emotional states:
- Blue Zone: Lower level energy or feelings such as sadness, tiredness, or being withdrawn.
- Green Zone: Represents more neutral levels of feelings or energy such as contentment, happiness, calmness, and focus.
- Yellow Zone: Higher levels of energy and emotions such as excitement, nervousness, silliness, or frustration.
- Red Zone: Intense emotions or energy like anger, panic, overjoy, or extreme excitement.
Read more here about using the Zones of Regulation to help your family members recognize what they’re feeling during stressful times and develop strategies to cope effectively.
Helpful Resources for Parents and Caregivers: To support your family in understanding and applying the Zones of Regulation, there are several helpful resources available. The Zones of Regulation Storybooks offer engaging ways to introduce the concepts to children through storytelling. Additionally, the Tools to Try Cards for Kids provide practical, hands-on strategies that help children navigate their emotions and find effective tools for regulation.
Strategies for Managing Emotions During Elections:
- Open Up the Conversation: Start by talking openly with your children about the election and the emotions it might bring up. Explain that it’s normal to feel a range of emotions, from excitement to worry. Use the Zones of Regulation to help them identify which Zone they’re in and why they might be feeling that way.
- Create a Family Emotion Check-In: Regularly check in with each family member about how they’re feeling. Use a simple chart or visual aid that aligns with the Zones of Regulation. For example, you might ask, “Which Zone are you in today?” and encourage everyone to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
- Model Emotional Awareness: As parents and caregivers, your energy is contagious. If you notice yourself getting into an uncomfortable zone because of something election-related, take a moment to model emotional regulation. You might say, “I’m feeling really frustrated after watching the news. I’m going to take a few deep breaths and step away for a bit to help myself feel more centered.”
- Use Co-Regulation Techniques: If your child is feeling anxious or upset, lean in with supportive language and co-regulation strategies. For instance, if your child is in a dysregulated zone, you might say, “I see you’re really upset right now. How about we go for a walk together and talk about it?” This shows them that you’re there to support them through their emotions.Â
- Limit Exposure to Stressful Stimuli: Consider reducing the amount of election coverage your family is exposed to, especially if it’s causing stress. It’s also important to be mindful of how much political talk you engage in around your children, as they may absorb and internalize your stress. Instead, focus on mindfulness and playful activities like playing games, going for a walk, or enjoying a meal together.
- Create a “Regulation Station”: Designate a space in your home where family members can go when they need to regulate their emotions. This Regulation Station could include items that help with relaxation, like cozy blankets, calming music, or fidget toys. Encourage your children to use this space when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Here is a free download to get started creating a regulation station at your home.
7. Practice Gratitude and Positive Focus: During stressful times, it’s easy to focus on the negative. Help your family shift their focus by practicing gratitude. Each day, have everyone share something they’re thankful for or something that made them feel comfortable. This simple practice can have profound outcomes on mental health. To make it easy, I have created the Connected Family Journal and Positive Patterns Coloring Book for families to be able to have hands-on activities for mindfulness and gratitude together.
Election seasons can bring stress and overwhelm for your family. By using tools like the Zones of Regulation and focusing on open communication, co-regulation, and positive activities, you can help your family navigate these challenging times with greater emotional resilience. Remember, all emotions are valid and okay, and with the right support, your family can emerge from this period feeling more connected and empowered.
Join Our Upcoming Workshop: Navigating Big Emotions
Election seasons and other stressful times can take a toll on both parents and children. To help you navigate the emotional challenges, join our “Navigating Big Emotions: Practical Ways to Help Kids Handle Anxiety and Overwhelm” workshop. Led by Janine Halloran, LMHC counselor, author, and speaker, alongside Elizabeth A. Sautter, MA, CCC, this workshop will provide you with practical strategies to help your children regulate their emotions during overwhelming times.
By attending, you’ll gain actionable tools to support your family’s emotional resilience and foster a deeper connection, even in the face of life’s challenges. We hope to see you there!