How do I help DC underatwnd their emotions?

[justasmalltownmum]

Feeling low and not sure how to navigate this.

Dc is 8. I don't know what to do when they get emotional. For example, if they are playing a sport/ or a game and loose (even though they tried really hard), they will get very emotional, upset, usually cry.

I would say something along the lines of you did your best, can't win everytime etc but it doesn't really help.

Even if they are frustrated, I don't know what to say. How do you help them regulate their emotions? It is fine to feel frustrated but I don't know how to help them understand that.

I hope I'm making sense:
Thanks

My LO is a bit younger so this may not be helpful, but I usually go for the recognising the feeling but not actually trying to make them feel ‘better’ approach e.g you look really cross / it’s can be so hard to lose a game when you’ve been working hard on it / I find it really annoying when I’ve made a mistake etc etc. They usually just respond with a ‘yes I’m so …’ and then they come for a cuddle. They’re still upset - but I figure I can’t actually ‘fix’ it and it’s fine to be upset when something has gone wrong - but I just comfort them a bit.

Is it a DS or a DD? Only asking because A Mighty Girl has lots of resources but a DS might not be happy with books aimed at girls.