When a Child’s Emotions Seem Fake and Manipulative

A parent feels drained by her 5-year-old's extreme emotional reactions to even the most minor disappointments. While she and her husband encourage both their children to express all their feelings, their son has recently begun "to jump to a level 100 in tears the instant he gets frustrated or isn't given what he wants." His sobbing, screaming, and complaints that he's sad or hurt in these situations seem false and manipulative. This parent is wondering how to approach her son's “mock emotion” while still communicating to him that his feelings are valid.
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