emotional support for kids Archives - UPower Presentations

Why Cheering Matters: Kids Notice More Than You Think

This summer, the sidelines will be full.

From soccer fields to baseball diamonds, basketball courts to swim meets—everywhere you look, kids will be running, jumping, skating, throwing, kicking, dancing, and giving it their all.

And behind the action? Parents. Sitting. Standing. Watching.

Some fully present—clapping, smiling, cheering. Others half-scrolling, half-listening, missing the moments their kids will remember.

Here’s why cheering matters: our kids notice.

They see who’s paying attention. They hear who’s cheering. And when they do, they feel something powerful—supported, encouraged, seen, valued.

I asked my son and his friends if they like hearing people cheer. Their answer was a resounding: “YES.”

What they don’t want to hear are negative comments or criticism—shouting at referees, over-celebrating every move, or yelling about mistakes. It can leave them feeling discouraged or self-conscious, which takes away the fun.

This is what I know: When you cheer, you’re not just supporting a game—you’re supporting their growth, their confidence, and their joy. You’re supporting your connection to them. It’s a powerful reminder why cheering matters.

Until next time…

15 May 2025

How to Help Kids through Anxiety

Help kids through anxiety- and remember – it doesn’t just affect kids— it shows up in all of us when life feels uncertain, overwhelming or just too much to handle.

The night before a school presentation, my son was feeling really anxious. He was quieter than usual and snapped at me over something small. Instead of going straight into fix-it mode, I sat beside him, put on my detective hat and asked, “Could it be that you’re worried about the presentation tomorrow?”

He nodded.

Then I followed up with, “Is there something you’re feeling uncertain about?”

That gave him the space to open up. He told me he was scared he’d forget what to say in front of the class—and that people might laugh at him.

Saying it out loud didn’t make his anxiety go away—it just made it feel a little less overwhelming.

That moment reminded me that when anxiety shows up, it’s not answers we need first—it’s connection. And sometimes, the right question makes that connection possible.

These two questions help when anxiety shows up for me or my son:
1. What do I fear I don’t have control of?
2. What am I feeling uncertain about?

This is what I know: These questions don’t fix everything. They do bring clarity when life feels overwhelming, messy or tough to manage. If you’re looking for a simple way to help kids through anxiety, try starting with a pause and the right question. It can make all the difference—for you, and for your kids.

Until next time…