Do you think it's ok to cry in front of your kids?

[Icantstopeatinglol]

I've been feeling really down recently and have ended up crying in front of my 2 dc who are 6 and 9. I hate upsetting them but I literally couldn't help it. I told them I had a headache and was tired but I worry that they'll get worried about me!

anyone

Yes, as long as you explain "mummy's feeling sad about x" or "...because of y".

Then when you begin to calm down, do something different with them and SHOW them that everything is basically okay.

Of course "Mummy just feels sad" is fine too. I think the important thing is to put it in context and make them feel safe.

Yes just explain that you feel sad right now and having a good cry makes you feel better just like you laugh when you're happy! Of course if all you are doing is crying it can be a bit worrying for them, so make sure you take care of yourself and see your GP if it doesn't get any better.

Sending some hugs

I think it's important to cry in front of children, to be annoyed, angry,make mistakes, apologise, drink alcohol (sensibly), and many, many other things. Do them, show them it's normal, how to react well.

My parents kept everything like this away from from me and my brother and in many ways adulthood was a real shock to the system for us.

If you cry in front of them, it teaches them that crying is OK and nothing to be ashamed of.
It's a good opportunity for them to practice empathy and return all those times you comforted them.
We don't have to be superhuman.

Only occasionally. Never put children in the position of having to worry about their parent, it should be the other way around. I've been that child and it isn't nice.

Yes it is healthy for them to see how sad things occur to us all and how you deal with them.

When we lost dd2 I was desperate to get help as soon as possible to deal with my sadness as I didn't want it affecting the older three. The first and most important thing they taught me was never hide it and be open about what is making me sad etc.

If you can't help it then it's ok. If it's because you're going through a really difficult time then it's fair to admit you're not superhuman.

If it's something you do everyday for months on end then it will impact their mental health too.

I hope you have real life support? I would urge you to see a GP

Thanks for the replies. I think a lot of things have got on top of me but I'm going to ring my gp on Monday for support.
I'd just been speaking to my dh and got upset then the kids came in. I'm normally totally able to hold it together but I've found it really hard the last few days and they caught me off guard. I've explained to them I had a headache etc but they also know I lost a friend a few months back so don't think they were really confused by it. Thanks all.

Yes in 'moderation' I think it's fine, healthy in fact. It's important for our children to see that it is ok to feel sad and that even grown ups feel sad at times.
I think it does need to be followed by an explanation though, be it an explanation of physical or emotional pain, and also an age appropriate explanation of how your dealing with it so as not to worry them further. E.g. 'mummy was sad because she has a headache but has had some medicine now so will be ok.' Or 'mummy was sad because someone was cross with her but it's ok we've made friends now
When my dc was little I suffered quite badly with depression. They saw me cry on occasion and I would tell them 'mummy has poorly feelings and that sometimes makes me cry but, I have some medicine and I'm going to be ok.'
I know it's not the approach everyone would feel comfortable with but as a result, I have a very emotionally aware teenage dc who is very open with me and great at discussing how they feel as well as being empathetic to others.
to you, hope you've got some rl support?

Yes I think it's fine. I agree with posters who said you need to explain why you are upset. One of the worst things we can do to our kids is teach them to bottle up emotions. Letting it out is a far healthier approach.