Bunny's Big Feelings

What happens

The kite goes up beautifully — over the sunflower patch, two bright tails fluttering — and then Bunny gives the string one great big tug, and it dips and catches in a tall tree, and the string goes slack. He stamps. He kicks a pinecone down the path. His chest feels tight, like a balloon with too much air in it. Mama doesn't tell him not to be angry; she tells him big feelings aren't bad, and takes him for a walk: smell the flower, blow the candle, breathe by the cool water.

Why it works at bedtime

The most directly useful story here for a child in the middle of tantrums, because it hands them a technique they can actually use — and names the thing that's happening. Big feelings come and go like clouds, and the kite does come down.

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