"The rewards of parenting come from being attentive to our children's feelings.  It is impossible to accept and validate a child's emotion at the same time you wish it would just go away.  Acceptance and validation come instead from epathy--that is, feeling what your child is feeling in the moment...

...Once you dedicate yourself to being present with your child's emotions, you will find opportunities to connect with her in meaningful ways on a day-to-day basis.  From a series of seemingly mundane incidents, you'll form an important, lasting bond.  You'll become...'a collector of moments.'  You'll recognize your interactions as precious opportunities and value aspects that others might miss.  And when you look back, you'll see your relationship with your child as you would a treasured string of pearls."

-John Gottman, "Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child"