I can’t help but notice the hype around the movie, “Where the Wild Things Are“. My daughter is seeing it twice in the upcoming couple of weeks. Once with her school and then again at a friend’s birthday party. Why are children and adults drawn to this story?

I think the answer is that it speaks to the intuitive and often unconscious need in all of us to face our feelings, whether they make us feel good or bad. We understand somewhere inside that this is necessary for our emotional survival. When I read to children, especially  young children, I am always fascinated with how willing they are to speak about their feelings. They tell me about their nightmares and about the monsters that they believe are lurking in dark corners. Young children also find it so much easier than older kids or adults to say, “That hurt my feelings.” When, and more importantly, why do we lose this openness?

I’m not sure that I know the answer but I do know that we don’t have to lose it. I also know that growing up doesn’t have to mean that we hide our “unacceptable” feelings. As a person who suffers with anxiety and depression, I understand very well how tempting it is to hide feelings from others. I have learned, however, at the tender age of 52 that it doesn’t work. Unprocessed emotions have a way of rotting. A good friend of mine always tells me, “The truth will set you free.” We both understand that this means the truth towards ourselves. If we don’t recognize our feelings and who we are, and more importantly, accept ourselves, we cannot grow, achieve success or find happiness as we should. Often this involves struggle but that’s OK. Out of struggle comes growth and greater understanding.

If becoming an adult means that we learn to mask our feelings to the world and eventually to ourselves then I’m not for that. I, for one, am looking forward to watching “Where the Wild Things Are” with my daughter and I anticipate that I will become completely immersed!

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Marsha Jacobson is author of "Boom... Boom... Boom...: A Story to Raise Your Child's Emotional Intelligence". She is a regular contributor of mychildfeels.com and you can visit her website at marshajacobson.com.