What’s a trigger? A trigger is a reminder of past trauma. It can set off an emotional alarm system, causing feelings of overwhelming sadness, anxiety, or panic.

Common Trauma Triggers

Our capacity to navigate our triggers and recognize them in children is critical to our ability to provide gentle guidance and help kids grow strong.

Common trauma triggers include:

How Kids Respond to Trauma Triggers

A good indicator that a child's trauma has been triggered is when their response intensity doesn't match the intensity of stressors or when behaviors seem confusing or inexplicable.

Look for Emotions Driving Behaviors

When navigating triggers, get curious. Look for the emotions driving behaviors and use mirroring as a tool for supportive conversations.

When we acknowledge we’re aware of children’s feelings & experiences, it’s normalizing. We don’t need to talk them out of their feelings—this kind of recognition is healing.

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Youth Dynamics — October 15, 2022

What does it mean to parent when triggered? Often, our kids meet us with big emotions and behaviors that can stretch us and activate an in-kind response, particularly when we’re stressed or worn thin.

And at that moment, we’re challenged to slow down. To create space between our reaction and response so we can respond gently.

Have you ever lost your temper?

What you do next is pivotal to teaching kids how to navigate mistakes and relationship rupture and repair.

Below is a highlight from our Instagram feed, @youthdynamicsmt, to walk through how to acknowledge slip-ups, demonstrate accountability, and invite kids to be vulnerable and grow.