Double Dip Feelings

Learning to cope with mixed feelings or ambivalence is one of the greatest challenges in a child's emotional development.

They are called "double-dip" because they are two different feelings that happen at the same time, sort of like two flavors of ice cream scoops right on top of each other. When kids have these kinds of feelings, they often feel confused and uncomfortable. It bothers kids to feel two different ways at the same time because they don't quite know what to do.

Engaging book uses a series of familiar situations to illustrate the common yet uncomfortable experience of having two contrasting feelings at the same time. For example, the first day of school brings both pride and fear; the arrival of a new brother or sister can trigger both joy and sadness.

Extensive afterword offers guidelines for children to respond to conflicting feelings along with suggestions for instructors and parents to help children resolve struggles with ambivalence on the journey toward emotional maturity. Softcover, 32 pages. Recommended for ages 4-8.