VALIDATION: the recognition and acceptance of another person’s thoughts, feelings, sensations, and behaviors as understandable
How do I recognize you as a unique person? What can I do to understand your feelings, sensations and behaviors? How can I let you know that you mean something to me and I value you as a human?
VALIDATION – WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
Have a baby or frequent interaction with a baby?
Listen, and learn your baby’s unique style of communication
Respond to your baby’s efforts to communicate
Look into your baby’s eyes
Smile at your baby
Snuggle and hug your baby
Provide physical and verbal reassurance during times when your baby is distressed
Always let your baby know it is an important part of your life
Remember times when you were heard and acknowledged and how that felt – want that for your baby
Instill a sense of belonging by practicing inclusive behaviors such as telling your baby what is going on and that they have a part in it.
Put forth your full attention with the intent of knowing what your child is feeling and thinking, then confirm with your child that you understand.
Imagine all babies being acknowledged through loving kindness
Don’t have a baby?
Say hi to and smile at babies
Catch a baby’s eye and wave hello
Remember times when you were heard and acknowledged and how that felt – want that for all babies
Put forth your full attention with the intention of knowing what a child is feeling and thinking, then confirm with the child that you understand
Imagine all babies being validated through loving kindness