Acknowledging such emotions can make itmucheasier for families to address more serious emotionalproblems,although some families may have a (conscious orunconscious) rulethat sadness is "not allowed".

Sadness is part of the normal process of the childseparatingfrom an early symbiosis with the mother and becomingmoreindependent.

Every time a child separates just a tiny bit more, he or shewillhave to cope with a small loss.

If the mother cannot allow the minor distress involved, thechildmay never learn how to deal with sadness by themselves.