Moms Talk: Helping Your Child Handle Rejection

Today, Moms Talk is stepping into an emotional minefield.

Rejection.

Your son didn't get picked for the school play. Your daughter's BFF since kindergarten has inexplicably dumped her.

Just imagining it can raise a parent's emotional temperature. Your child is a part of you. You feel their pain. It may bring up your own old childhood hurts, whether it was always being picked last for dodgeball or getting that thin letter of rejection from your dream college.

Your first impulse may be to make your child feel all better by any means necessary. That may not be the best move for them in the long run. It doesn't allow them to feel the hurt, put it in perspective and learn to cope.

As much as it hurts, rejection may be an opportunity for your child to learn and grow. The messages your child gets from you can be crucial to developing reslilience and a healthy attitude.

What's been the hardest part for you about seeing your child rejected? What did you do? Do you wish you'd done something differently? Share your stories and wisdom in the comments.

Joining us on Moms Talk is our fantastic Moms Council:

 is our parenting columnist. Julie, a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in November.

 works in healthcare. She and husband Timothy have a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. She also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

So, as Linda Richman used to say on "Coffee Talk" ... Talk amongst yourselves.