Mr. Peters’ Moonlight Lessons: A Journey of Light, Love, and Belonging by Jodye Austin Gaines - HTML preview

CHAPTER 6: It’s Okay to Feel Big Feelings

Layla sat in her room with her head down. Her eyes were puffy from crying.

She felt sad. And mad. And tired.

Her friend didn’t invite her to the party. Everyone was going. But not Layla.

She wiped her eyes and looked at the Moon outside. It glowed in the dark sky.

Suddenly, soft silver light filled her room. It wrapped around her like a hug.

Layla floated up, up, up… to the Moon.

When she landed, Mr. Peters was there, smiling kindly.

“Hello, Layla,” he said. “Your heart feels full of big feelings.”

Layla nodded. “I feel sad. And mad,” she said softly. “I don’t like feeling this way.”

Mr. Peters smiled. “It’s okay to feel big feelings,” he said. “Sad, mad, worried — those feelings are part of being human.”

Layla looked down. “Sometimes I feel weak when I cry,” she whispered.

Mr. Peters shook his head. “Crying isn’t weak,” he said. “It means your heart is strong. It means you care.”

Layla looked up at the stars. They sparkled like tiny lights.

“Feelings come and go like the clouds,” Mr. Peters explained. “But you are always strong inside.”

The soft light wrapped around Layla.

“Let your feelings flow,” Mr. Peters whispered. “They help you grow.”

The light carried Layla back home.

The next morning, Layla still felt a little sad. But she also felt brave.

She knew her feelings were okay.

She was strong — even when she cried.

Affirmation:

“It’s okay to feel big feelings. My heart is strong.”

“It’s okay to feel sad, mad, or worried. I am still strong.”

Activity:

Draw different feeling faces — happy, sad, mad, excited — and write how you can take care of yourself when you feel each one.