"Pay attention to how your own emotions influence your children. I’m not saying you can’t ever be unhappy. If we never felt sad or afraid or experienced other negative emotions, that wouldn’t even be healthy. Rather, I’m making the point that children mirror our states. For example, it’s really hard for kids to feel secure and safe if their grownups are anxious. It’s really hard for kids to feel joyful if their grownups are in despair. And, on the flip side, it’s much harder for them to be anxious if their grownups provide what @theothernedjohnson and Bill Stixrud call a 'non-anxious presence.'" - Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.