A wave of new guidance is helping parents across the globe, including in Thailand, understand how best to support their children’s emotional lives—without falling into the pitfalls of toxic positivity or feeling pressured to fix or gloss over every distressing feeling. As recent reporting by Slate illuminates, experts are urging parents to create honest, safe spaces for children to feel and process a full range of emotions, rather than pushing relentless optimism that may leave kids feeling unheard or misunderstood (Slate).
This conversation comes at a critical time, with many Thai parents—like their peers worldwide—struggling to navigate intense feelings sparked by academic pressures, social change, and fast-paced digital lives. While traditional Thai culture often emphasizes harmony and emotional restraint, recent research and expert opinion argue that acknowledging and validating even “negative” emotions is crucial for healthy child development.
According to the American Psychological Association and commentary from outlets such as Psychology Today (Psychology Today), toxic positivity is defined as excessive or inappropriate encouragement to appear happy or positive at all times, even in situations where negative feelings are natural or expected. While this approach is often well-intended—aimed at fostering resilience—it can interfere with a child’s ability to develop emotional awareness and healthy coping mechanisms. “Socially, it is the act of dismissing another person’s negative emotions by suggesting a positive emotion instead,” summarizes Wikipedia (Wikipedia - Toxic Positivity).
Practical research underscores these points. According to a study published in June 2025, children benefit most from emotion-focused coping strategies, which involve recognizing, expressing, and working through feelings rather than avoidance or forced reframing (Mental Health Center Kids). Overuse of positive thinking as a form of denial, experts say, can inadvertently teach children to suppress or ignore their emotions—leading to challenges in emotional regulation, mental health, and relationships later in life.
The Harvard Center on the Developing Child further warns that chronic “toxic stress”—which includes invalidated emotions—can disrupt healthy brain development and increase the risk of emotional disorders well into adulthood (Harvard Center on the Developing Child). By contrast, supportive environments where children’s feelings are acknowledged and discussed foster greater resilience, empathy, and well-being. The International British School of Bucharest, focusing often on multicultural families, notes in its review of current research that “toxic positivity, though well-intentioned, can have lasting effects on children’s emotional well-being. By fostering open communication, we help children develop healthy emotional habits” (IBSB).
Leading Thai child psychologists echo these findings. A prominent Bangkok-based specialist in child development highlights that “Thai families sometimes feel pressure to maintain ‘face’ or avoid conflicts, leading parents to tell children ‘don’t cry, be strong’ even when kids are clearly upset. However, acknowledging and working through negative emotions ultimately strengthens the child’s ability to cope and communicate in healthy ways.” Similarly, a faculty member from a leading faculty of education at a top Thai university notes: “It’s not about teaching children to dwell on sadness, but about equipping them to recognize and understand their feelings so they can move forward authentically."
International research broadly supports these views. A 2025 scoping review on strengths-based programs for youth at risk of toxic stress advocates for interventions that promote authentic, open emotional communication rather than mere distraction or “cheering up” (PubMed Reference). Another study in Psychiatry points out that maladaptive parenting patterns—unintentionally perpetuated by well-meaning adults—are associated with higher rates of emotional dysregulation in children (NCBI PMC).
Despite these insights, a recent survey reveals the emotional toll parenting can take, showing that parents, particularly those of young children, question their competence frequently—sometimes up to 156 times per year (NYPost). Social media, changing family structures, and educational expectations in Thailand have only heightened these anxieties. News stories and personal accounts from parents here and abroad highlight anxieties about bullying, school readiness, and children’s adjustment to rapid societal shifts (Yahoo News).
Crucially, experts recommend several specific strategies for Thai parents:
- Listen to a child’s feelings without immediately seeking to “solve” or reinterpret them.
- Use open-ended questions like “How did that make you feel?” instead of “It’s okay, don’t be sad.”
- Model healthy emotional expression, allowing children to witness adults respectfully acknowledging frustration, sadness, or fear without shame.
- Validate rather than minimize a child’s struggle—saying, “I see this is difficult for you,” rather than, “It’s not a big deal.”
- Incorporate Thai cultural values on empathy and respect while gently challenging harmful stereotypes that equate stoicism with maturity.
Cultural context remains important. Thailand’s long-standing traditions of kreng jai (consideration of others), sanuk (enjoyment), and jai yen (cool heart) have much to offer, especially in fostering kindness and self-control. Yet, as local educators argue, “jai yen does not mean denying when you are upset, but rather learning how to manage those emotions constructively.”
The movement to shed toxic positivity is also finding support through new Thai-language children’s books, films, and therapist-led programs in Bangkok and Chiang Mai that depict characters dealing with sadness, frustration, and anger as natural parts of life. These resources encourage families to discuss emotions openly and seek help when needed—reflecting the evolving landscape of Thai parenting.
Looking forward, experts both globally and in Thailand urge policymakers and educators to integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into school curricula, especially at the primary level. Stronger early childhood education policies, such as those advocated in recent Thai government initiatives, promise to reinforce children’s emotional literacy alongside academic achievement (Early Childhood Education Policy Summary, UNESCO). Strengthening community mental health resources will also be crucial.
For Thai parents seeking actionable steps, experts recommend starting small: Set aside time each day to talk with children about their feelings; avoid the impulse to “cheer up” every sad or angry moment; and, when in doubt, reach out to school counselors, mental health professionals, or supportive parenting groups for guidance.
Ultimately, creating space for the full range of children’s feelings—without fixing, faking, or dismissing them—promotes the resilience, empathy, and self-knowledge that are vital for success in modern Thailand and beyond.