Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” dives deeper into the world of emotions, introducing new characters that mirror the challenges of growing up. As Riley enters her teenage years, she faces not just Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear but also new emotions like Anxiety, Ennui, Embarrassment, Envy, and Nostalgia. These newcomers complicate Riley’s thoughts and feelings, influencing how she behaves and sees the world.
For parents, grasping these emotions is key to helping their kids navigate adolescence smoothly. Here’s a guide to recognising when your child might be feeling these emotions and how you can support them during this transformative phase.
Anxiety
Anxiety shows up as excessive worry and restlessness, often accompanied by physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. Kids dealing with anxiety might become withdrawn or overly focused on doing things perfectly.
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What are the signs to watch for?
Constant worry – Always fretting about school, friends, or other aspects of life.
Physical signs – Complaining about headaches, tummy troubles, or feeling tired all the time.
Avoiding things – Stepping back from activities or situations that make them anxious, like going to school or meeting new people.
How can you help?
- Create a safe space for them to talk about their feelings without judgment.
- Stick to regular schedules to give them a sense of stability.
- Teach simple breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques to calm their mind.
Ennui (Boredom)
Ennui is that feeling of being bored or disinterested, often when things aren’t challenging or exciting enough. Kids may seem unenthusiastic about activities they used to enjoy.
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What are the signs to watch for?
Lack of interest – Not caring much about hobbies, schoolwork, or hanging out with friends.
Low energy – Acting tired or unmotivated, like they just can’t get into anything.
Restlessness – Always looking for something new or different to do.
How can you help?
- Encourage them to try out different activities or hobbies to find something they love.
- Help them pick goals they can reach to feel more accomplished.
- Make sure they’re not spending too much time glued to screens, which can make boredom worse.
Embarrassment
Embarrassment is that feeling of being self-conscious or awkward in front of others, which can really hit hard during the teenage years.
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What are the signs to watch for?
Blushing or avoiding – Getting red-faced or avoiding eye contact in embarrassing situations.
Being hard on themselves – Saying mean things about themselves or feeling really bad about messing up.
Not wanting to go out – Not wanting to be around others or join in on things because they’re scared of looking silly.
How can you help?
- Remind them that everyone feels embarrassed sometimes—it’s totally normal.
- Show them how to be nice to themselves when they feel embarrassed.
- Help them learn how to handle tough social stuff, like talking to new people or saying sorry.
Envy
Envy is when kids feel unhappy because they want something someone else has, whether it’s a cool toy, a skill, or even just attention.
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What are the signs to watch for?
Always comparing – Talking a lot about what other kids have or do, and wishing they could have it too.
Feeling bad – Getting upset, mad, or sad when they see other people getting things they want.
Changing moods – Acting differently after seeing someone else with something they wish they had.
How can you help?
- Help them think about the good things they already have and why those things matter.
- Show them how to focus on getting better at things they care about instead of comparing to others.
- Teach them to understand how others feel and why it’s cool to be happy for friends.
Nostalgia
Nostalgia is about feeling warm and fuzzy thinking about good times from the past, which can be really nice but sometimes a little sad.
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What are the signs to watch for?
Thinking about the past – Talking a lot about fun stuff they did before and wishing they could go back.
Feeling strong – Getting happy or sad quickly when something reminds them of a cool time in the past.
Staying close – Wanting to be near people who were with them in those good times.
How can you help?
- Let them know it’s okay to miss good times from before.
- Help them find fun new stuff to do to make great memories now.
- Keep them close to people they made awesome memories with before.
When you understand and respond to these emotions from “Inside Out 2,” you can support your children through the ups and downs of growing up. Pixar’s imaginative approach reminds us that emotions are complex and important, and by helping kids handle them, parents can help them grow strong and happy.
