Feelings can be messy and that’s okay.
Between school mornings, homework struggles, and the everyday chaos, it’s easy for emotions to get pushed aside. That’s why you should start using The Feelings Wheel or The Kids Wheel as a daily check in tool. It’s a small ritual that can helps both you and your child, recognize what you actually feeling, and talk about it without it feeling like a lecture.
The Feelings Wheel and The Kids Wheel are designed for moments when you or your child aren’t sure what’s going on inside.
It helps take a vague “bad” or “fine” and make it something real and nameable, like “disappointed,” “overwhelmed,” or “unseen.” Shaped like a soft, six petaled flower, it’s sturdy enough to toss in a bag, fidget with while waiting in line, or keep on the bedside table.
Essentially, it’s emotional clarity made simple something that makes these tricky conversations a little easier.
Here’s how you can bring it into our day-to-day:
1. Morning Mood Check 🌅
Over breakfast (or even during the car ride to school), take a moment to point to a feeling on the wheel that matches your mood. Sometimes your child might choose “excited” or “nervous,” and sometimes they won't. It’s a small moment that sets the tone for the day and reminds us it’s okay to feel whatever we’re feeling.
2. After School Pause 📚
Instead of the usual “How was your day?” ask: “Which feeling fits your day today?” Using the wheel, your child can get specific beyond just “good” or “bad,” opening the door for real stories that might otherwise stay hidden.
3. Family Dinner Circle 🍽️
At dinner, take a turn naming our strongest emotion of the day. Sometimes it’ll be funny, sometimes it’ll be serious, sometimes both. This ritual will teach you to listen to each other without judgment, and it’ll become a way to connect after a busy day.
4. Bedtime Wind Down 🛌
At night, check in one last time: “Which feeling do you want to let go of before sleep? Which one do you want to carry into tomorrow?” This can be been a game-changer for helping your child... and you too can practice letting go of the day’s stress.
5. Parent Self Check ✅
Modeling emotion is just as important. Sharing your own feelings frustration in the morning, gratitude at night shows your child that all emotions are normal and okay. This modeling can be one of the most powerful parts of the practice.
Why It Matters 💜
These small, daily rituals can create a rhythm of emotional honesty in your home. Your children will start to see feelings as signals rather than problems, and you can build a habit of checking in with each other that feels natural, not forced.
With The Feelings Wheel and The Kids Wheel, tricky conversations become moments of connection, and it will quickly become one of your favorite parts of the day.
