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This Book Offers Emotional Clarity Around Something Many Children Struggle To Understand - When Adults Are Sad, Frustrated, Or Overwhelmed - It’s Not The Child’s Fault
”As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I’m always looking for books that help parents talk to their children about emotions in a safe and developmentally appropriate way; I Love You When I’m Happy and I Love You When I’m Sad does exactly that. This book beautifully communicates a message that I believe every child needs to “You are loved no matter what.” But it goes a step further, offering emotional clarity around something many children struggle to understand; when adults are sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed, it’s not the child’s fault. That message alone has the potential to lift a huge emotional weight off a child’s shoulders. From a clinical lens, this story supports healthy emotional boundaries while also promoting emotional resilience, for both children and parents. It shows that feelings come and go, and that love stays constant through them all. The illustrations are calming and warm, and the language is gentle but impactful. I can absolutely see myself recommending this book to the families I work with. It’s a powerful tool for teaching emotional safety, and I believe it could be incredibly helpful in therapy, school settings, or at home.”
- Jenny Natalio, MSW LCSW Therapist
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Encouraging To Both Children And Parents Alike
”As a lifelong anxiety and depression warrior who is now a parent, I was thrilled to find a children’s book addressing a parent’s mental health. The message that resonates throughout this book—the unconditional love of a parent for a child—is encouraging to both children and parents alike. It reminds me that even though I may not feel or even act like a good parent during my lows, that does not negate my love for my children. And it communicates this same message to children in an age-appropriate manner. It goes beyond this in also addressing things that parents do to take care of themselves in the midst of their struggles. This book is an excellent way for any parent to start or continue a conversation with their children about their personal mental health struggles. I highly recommend this book!”
- Mary Hauser, Parent
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Grownups Have Needed This Book For Years!
”Since purchasing this book and sharing it with others, I've had three different people tell me they wished this book had been around when their kids were small. "I Love You When I'm Happy and I Love You When I'm Sad" is such a gift to an over-worked, over-stressed, and over-stimulated population. I'm so glad to have this title in our home library.“
- Macaille Hafner, Parent
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Honest And Real
”This book should be on every child’s bookshelf in the world. Real, raw, and honestly written. It’s a gentle and loving reminder to kids that even though their parent’s world and feelings might seem big at times, that they are still honored and loved. Kudos to Christi for breaking through a barrier in this category.“
- Kimberly Esparza, Parent
Customer Reviews
I had to get this book because I got emotional just listening to the author talk about it and I got even more emotional when I actually read it to my children. It speaks to me deeply as a Mom of two littles, who tries so hard to be the best mom I can be, but is human and has hard days too. This book provides a beautiful opportunity for parents to connect with their children in a loving way, while also teaching them that while parents may have hard days, it's never their fault and we always love them. Thank you to the author for this gift.
This book is moving and sweet. I'm glad to have found it.
I can’t even express what this book means to me. No parent is perfect all of the time. We are humans with highs and lows and sometimes have our own mental health challenges. This book helped me navigate empathy, understand, and emotional intelligence conversations with my 4 year old that I struggle to put words to otherwise. The images described what the words said so well. I’m so appreciative of this book and what it means for my relationship with my daughter that even if I’m not feeling 100%, I love her so much.
Even bringing up this topic with kids can feel overwhelming. How do you explain depression or anxiety without scaring them, or making them think it’s their fault? This book makes that hard conversation feel approachable. It explains big feelings in a way kids can actually understand, while constantly reminding them that they are deeply loved no matter what.
Reading it opened up a natural conversation in our home and gave me language I didn’t have before. It’s gentle, thoughtful, and one of those rare books that helps both parent and child feel seen and supported. Definitely wish I had this book sooner. Amazing.
This book should be on every child’s bookshelf in the world. Real, raw, and honestly written. It’s a gentle and loving reminder to kids that even though their parent’s world and feelings might seem big at times, that they are still honored and loved. Kudos to Christi for breaking through a barrier in this category.