When a child yells at you to leave their room, Camilla McGill says they actually need you there. Stay calm, acknowledge their feelings, and offer a hug if they'll take it. Your steady presence matters more than giving them space.
What do you do when your child is in a complete and utter state and they scream, "Get out of my room! Go away and leave me alone!" Is that what they really mean? When kids are in this kind of state, it's terrifying for them, and although what's coming out of their mouth is "go away," what they really need is our calm presence. So try saying something like, "I'm going to stay here and I want to keep you safe. I'm not scared of your big feelings. Sometimes it can help to say other things like, "I can see how upset you are," or, "I really understand how angry you are about X." Other times we can just stay there, and sometimes even holding them tight can help. If you've had this experience, drop a comment below or send me a DM. I'd love to help.
