Disappointment is a normal part of life. Whether it’s a trip to the playground or there are no more chocolate sprinkles at the ice cream shop, life is full of little and big disappointments. And as much as we’d like to spare our kids from failure and heartbreak, we can’t—and that’s a good thing.

It’s enough to make anyone feel a little sad and discouraged. It is also natural for parents to want to shield children from such unpleasant situations. However, dealing with losses can be a beneficial experience, and kids can really learn from being disappointed, especially when you teach them how to bounce back. 

How can you guide your children without taking over?

Try these techniques to talk with your kids about their disappointments…