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by L. E. Perkins (Author)
Noreen is nervous about her mom going into the hospital for an operation. What if the germ monsters get her? When Noreen has a bad nightmare, she is even more worried about her mom. She is afraid to go to school because she knows she may cry. She doesn't want to be embarrassed like the last time she cried at school and was teased about crying. What will she do? When mom leaves early to go to the hospital before Noreen gets up, she is angry. Her emotions are getting bigger inside her and all mixed together. She feels like they are weighing her down. She gets a pain in her belly. Who is going to help her? She feels so alone.
This fictional story highlights how emotions can affect young children who often have difficulties processing serious events on their own. It is a story that can help children recognize emotions and identify them. It also normalizes strong uncomfortable feelings, like anger so that they know it's okay. The story emphasizes the importance of adults recognizing 'the pain in the belly' as a symptom of overpowering emotions in children. The well-being of a child is affected by how the adults in their lives respond when the child has strong emotions.
