When I’m upset, I’m NOT all right! Telling me I’m all right is not good for several reasons:
- It shows me that you don’t believe me
- It shows me that you don’t value my feelings
- It’s not true. I am not all right and you are telling me I am all right. – You are telling me something that is not true. So when can I believe you?
So what can you say or do?
- You can ask me if I want to be helped, heard, or hugged
- You can stay nearby
- If you tell me to go away, I can go out of sight, but stay nearby to be here for you when you need me.
