If your child is an Eaggie McPlant 🍆...
How can you support them to express emotions healthily and grow up feeling safe?
👀 You might notice things like:
- They're always smiling, cracking jokes — the "class clown" of the group
- When criticized, they pretend it doesn't matter: "I don't care~ haha~"
- When they feel left out, they laugh it off: "They didn't pick me? It's fine, no one ever picks me anyway~"
- They seem clever and cheerful, but oddly emotionless at times
- When asked to write about feelings or talk about something serious, they freeze up: "I don't know how to write that… can I just draw a face instead?"
If you've seen a child like this, they might be a classic Eaggie McPlant-type kid 🍆.
🧠 What are they thinking?
Eaggie kids often:
- Don't want to trouble others, so they act like everything's fine
- Think it's their job to keep everyone happy
- Avoid serious talk by switching to humor
- Are kind to others, but don't know how to express their own sadness
- Joke around not because they don't feel, but because they don't know how to handle the not-so-happy stuff
✅ How can I support them?
1. Listen for what they're not saying, not just what they do say
👦: "They didn't play with me, so I just played alone! I'm awesome!" (laughs)
🧑: "That sounded really cool — but were you also feeling a little left out?"
💡 Joking is often a shield. You're not exposing them — just gently naming what might be underneath. Over time, they'll feel safe enough to open up.
2. Create a space where it's okay not to be funny
Say things like:
- "You don't have to be the entertainer today. Just be yourself."
- "If you don't feel like joking, you can tell me how you really feel. I'll listen."
💡 They'll test whether you can handle the version of them that isn't always cheerful. Your response matters.
3. Let them use creativity to express themselves instead of talking right away
Invite them to draw, role-play, make up characters or stories:
- "If you were a little monster, how would you feel this week?"
- "Want to draw your mood today? Would it be Happy Eggplant? Exploding Eggplant? Invisible Eggplant?"
💡 They might not have emotional words yet, but they do have ways to express themselves — especially through play.
4. When they say 'I'm fine~', don't push — give them options
Try saying:
"That's okay, you don't have to talk. Want to draw together, listen to music, or watch something quietly? You can tell me when you're ready."
💡 For an Eaggie kid, knowing you'll stay even when they're not talking is incredibly reassuring.
5. When they do share their true feelings, respond gently and sincerely
Don't say "Finally, you're talking!"
Say instead:
"Thank you for telling me. That means a lot — it shows you trust me."
"The way you shared that without joking? I really admire your courage. I'll remember this."
💡 Let them know: being honest won't get them laughed at — it'll be respected.
🍆 What Eaggie kids want you to know:
- "I'm really good at making people laugh… but after all that, I get tired too."
- "I feel sad sometimes, I just don't know how to say it. But if you stay with me, I'll try."
💬 Try saying to them:
- "I love your happy side — but I'll stay with you when you're quiet, moody, or just feeling low too."
- "You don't have to be the fun one all the time. Just being yourself is already fun, and so lovable."