Reversible octopus as a parenting tool?

[grey12]

DD1, 5yo, has no special diagnosis or anything but she doesn't cope well with sadness and disappointment. She'll just run and hide and cry her eyes out. Could be because she didn't get what she wanted, or she got told off, or she hurt herself.

We are at a loss on what to do..... if you have had an experience with this, please let me know what helped

Anyways, I went to the shopping mall and saw those reversible octopii that tiktok is so fond of. I was wondering if it may be a good option for her to let us know when she is feeling a bit down.....? So I can be more calm with her or something.... (she has 2 younger siblings so my time is very divided) I don't know......

It wouldn't hurt to get her one. It might help, it might not. I think at 5, she probably doesn't get enough warning of her emotions to pre-warn you, but there's no harm in trying.

I don't think there is particularly anything wrong with her crying when she's cross/upset though, it's good she can express her emotions! Also, of she finds taking herself off/away from whatever has upset her, that's her way of coping and there isn't really anything wrong with that.

You could do some mindfulness with her. You could Google 'calm.down jars' and make one together. Talk about things, make sure she knows she can talk to you if she needs to. But generally, crying because you're sad or hurt is emotionally healthy!

Thanks for the suggestions

the problem is not the crying, is the excessive reaction. She runs to another room or upstairs and it concerns us. We feel like we can't help because she's runs away. Do we run after her? Or let her have her own space? It depends on the situation.... if she hurts herself I have to dash after her, if she was told off for being naughty then let her have her little tantrum. But other situations are more.... a grey area and any situation we would like to have a little chat and sort things out...

If she hurts herself and needs first aid obviously then you do need to go after her. I would try talking to her about this when she isn't upset and explain that if she needs a plaster/some cream etc. she should come to you and not run away. You can role play this if you have/get a doctor's kit and take turns being the doctor/patient and use teddies etc. as the patient's too.

When it's more emotional I would leave her to it until she's calmed down and then talk to her about it when she's had some time.