Listening for Feelings

Children communicate to parents much more than words or ideas. Behind the words often lie feelings. Below are some typical "messages" children send. Read each separately, trying to listen for feelings. Then select the feeling or feelings you heard. Discard the "content" and choose only the feeling-usually one or several words. Some of the statements may contain several different feelings. Choose all of the main feelings you hear. The most accurate answer is shown below each statement.

Child Says

Example: I don't know what is wrong. I can't figure it out. Maybe I should just quit trying.

  1. is stumped
  2. is discouraged
  3. is tempted to give up

Child Says

  1. Oh boy, only ten more days until schools out.
    1. show best answer
      1. Glad
      2. Relieved
  2. Look Daddy, I made an airplane with my new tools.
    1. show best answer
      1. Proud
      2. Pleased
  3. Will you hold my hand when we go into the nursery school?
    1. show best answer
      1. Afraid, fearful
  4. I am not having any fun I cannot think of anything to do.
    1. show best answer
      1. Bored
      2. Stumped
  5. I'll never be good like Jim. I practice and practice and she is still better than me.
    1. show best answer
      1. Feels inadequate
      2. Discouraged
  6. My new teacher gives us too much homework. I can never get it all done.
    1. show best answer
      1. Feels job is too hard
      2. Feels defeated
  7. All the other kids went to the beach. I don't have anyone to play with
    1. show best answer
      1. Left behind
      2. Lonely
  8. Jim's parents let him ride his bike to school but I'm a better rider than Jim.
    1. show best answer
      1. Feels parents are being unfair
      2. Feels competant
  9. I shouldn't have been so mean to little Nicholas. I guess I was bad.
    1. show best answer
      1. Feels guilty
      2. Regrets his action
  10. I want to wear my hair this way – it's my hair isn't it?
    1. show best answer
      1. Resents interference of parents
  11. Do you think I'm doing this report right? Will it be good enough?
    1. show best answer
      1. Feels some doubt
      2. Not sure
  12. Why did she make me stay after school anyway? I wasn't the only one who was talking. I'd like to punch her in the nose.
    1. show best answer
      1. Angry, hateful
      2. Feels it was unfair
  13. I can do it myself. You don't need to help me. I'm old enough to do it myself.
    1. show best answer
      1. Feels competent
      2. Doesn't want help
  14. Math is too hard. I'm too dumb to understand it.
    1. show best answer
      1. Frustrated
      2. Feels inadequate
  15. Go away. Leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you or anybody else. You don't care what happens to me anyway.
    1. show best answer
      1. Feels hurt
      2. Feels angry
      3. Feels unloved
  16. For a while I was doing good, but now I'm worse than before. I try hard, but it doesn't seem to help. What's the use?
    1. show best answer
      1. Discouraged
      2. Wanting to give up
  17. I would sure like to go but I just can't call her up. What if she would laugh at me for asking her?
    1. show best answer
      1. Wants to go
      2. Afraid
  18. I never want to play with Pam anymore. She is mean.
  19. I'm sure glad I happened to be born the baby of you and daddy rather than some other parents.
    1. show best answer
      1. Grateful, glad
      2. Appreciates parents
  20. I think I know what to do but maybe it's not right. I always seem to do the wrong thing. What do you think I should do dad, work or go to college?
    1. show best answer
      1. Uncertain, unsure