What should I do if my child cries a lot?

what-should-I-do-if-my-child-cries-a-lot

 – By Dr. Jetson Satya Gospel

Some kids cry over minor matters, as if the world were falling apart around them. Children cry both from their heart and their eyes. To address these issues of “crying”, which may have a cause or not, we need to build a strong foundation with children on understanding their feelings when they cry. Crying is normal. But how we face our children and teaching them how to face the situations make all the difference.

As parents we experience certain feelings and emotions when our child cries. The following is a list of mindful responses to various moods and emotions, that can be used by parents. I have arranged it in an alphabetical order devised from my personal parenting experience.

Adore and show affection frequently and let your children know that you care for them.

Befriend your child and talk to them about what is troubling her.

Calm yourself down and then calm your crying child. It is important that as a parent, you don’t act up when you see your child hurt or unreasonable.

Discipline is important and if your child cries out of injustice or selfishness, teach them that their crying will not give them what they need. Do not allow them to use crying as a tool to achieve bad things.

Emotions of the child need to be your focus, as she cries. Empathize with her. A tender touch, loving response or a hug go a long way.

Fast reaction may be required and so be prepared.

Good to cry for good reasons. It’s okay to cry when a child feels heavy at heart as crying helps her vent out heavy feelings.

Hope that as your child will mature, things will improve. Nothing is going to last for very long.

Inspire your child as a parent to be strong at heart and face challenges with bravery, whether at home or in school.

Justice and fairness should be kept in mind while dealing with your children. Do it gently.

Keen you should be, in knowing the reasons behind your child’s cry.

Love as they are and show your affection even when they cry.

Mindful of the environment you should be, when they cry.

No changing your stance when it is a reasonable one. Let your no be no and yes be yes.

Observe your child’s behavior when she cries.

Polite and kind words should be used, when you speak to your crying child. Show empathy to your child. Let her know that you understand her and feel her pain.

Question her kindly. An interactive two-way dialogue should be practiced.

Reassure your child that there is hope for a positive change.

Sincerely address the child when she is crying.

Thoughtful you must be, about all possible causes of crying.

Uplift your child’s spirits as a coping strategy.

Valiant you should be and teach your child to be strong and brave, when she is facing a difficult situation.

Warm and receptive, a parent must be at all times.

X-factor in this is your own unique strategy!

You should put yourself your child’s shoes and imagine you are of her age and think about how you’d feel.

Zest and enthusiasm for parenting will help you sail through these issues.

References

  1. https://www.chop.edu/pages/crying-over-little-things
  2. https://www.moms.com/tips-parent-child-cries/
By vitalmadevadmin in Behaviour and Discipline 0 Comment

How can I make my child study better?

Tips-for-kids-to-study-better

Every child has a unique personality that causes them to react in different ways, therefore you have to come up with a variety of strategies to getting them interested in learning or studying. The author tries to explain in the article that as kids become older, learning is a crucial aspect of daily life and not every moment can be spent playing.

Here are some suggestions, given by the author:

  • Encourage your child to explore subjects and disciplines that interest him if you want to help him become a good learner.
  • Place more emphasis on what your child is learning than on his performance.
  • Children respond very strongly to social reinforcers like compliments, hugs, high fives, and other such things, yet many parents are reluctant to praise their children for good work
  • Kids can learn to like challenging themselves if you give them praise for continuing when things get tough, putting forth a consistent effort, and trying things they’re not sure they can do well.
  • Working with his teacher is another of the most crucial things you can do for your child. The instructor could provide more information concerning

You can read the full article here: https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-your-child-get-motivated-in-school/

By vitalmadevadmin in Development and Milestones 0 Comment

How to deal with Attention-seeking behaviour in children?

How-to-deal-with-attention-seeking-behaviour-in-child

By Siyona Varghese

 

The ability to discriminate between needs and wants is just not developed yet in children between the ages of 3 and 6. As a result, they sometimes act as though they’re attempting to push you away. This can indicate that they are more in need of your help than before. You may be able to assist your child more effectively if you recognize the underlying causes of their attention-seeking behaviour.

The Root Cause

Children want your attention naturally since they rely on adults for stability and care. Although you may want kids to behave well always, given their age and developmental stage they would misbehave sometimes. Note that it is normal and it is also normal for a child to seek attention. It should concern you only if a child’s conduct becomes out of control.  A child my seem out of control for a variety of causes including problems in their upbringing or environment. Their conduct might also be impacted by a brain-based difference.
Here are some helpful strategies for dealing with a child that constantly demands attention:

Reinforce Good behaviour: Rewarding them for good behaviour is the most effective approach to encourage good behaviour. Compliment them on most things, big or small, they do well (1). Compliment them in a way that they understand why you are complimenting. Avoid empty appreciation.

Spend time with your kids: Parents sometimes mistakenly believe that they are spending all of their time taking care of their children because they do chores like washing their clothes, cooking their meals, making their beds, sending them off to school etc. However, while these fundamental activities are wonderful, children need you to play with them and give them direct attention. Children also need to be mentally and emotionally stimulated. Make sure you spend a lot of quality time reading, playing and conversing with your children.

Be Compassionate: Empathy must be used while addressing the issue of unwanted conduct with young children. You don’t have to fully comprehend their behaviour to be empathetic. An understanding touch and a friendly smile go a long way.

It can be an absolute challenge to maintain kindness and empathy when the kids act rude. However, remind yourself that they are only kids. Once you are aware of their developmental maturity, you will be able to better comprehend what they can and cannot handle. 

Explain what is an emergency and what is not: Give your children some guidance on how to distinguish between a real emergency that requires your quick response and something they want but isn’t a top priority. Here’s a simple tip: make sure you have a clear plan that enables your children to communicate when something is actually significant. Children will learn to distinguish between a genuine emergency and someone simply needing your attention by developing a catchphrase they may use in an actual emergency (such as, “code red”).

Communicate: It’s possible that they feel “not good enough” in their academic subjects at school, so they “act up” to mask how they truly feel, which is not good enough. Communicate with them about how you can boost their academic performance or give them more self-assurance in the topics they are finding tough. If necessary, find ways to support them. Discover easy ways to build their confidence, such as talking to their teacher or playing some memory games for a few minutes while driving to school(2). Let them also know under-performance is okay sometimes.

Avoid yelling: When children won’t stop crying or you’re exhausted and at your wit’s end, it can be quite tempting to bring your emotional reactions down to their level. When you feel like you could lose control and snap, try to have a strategy in place for getting away from the situation. If they don’t stop acting up for attention, tell them: “I need to take a 5-minute time-out as you won’t stop crying.” Once you feel calm enough to handle the kids, return to your quiet space and practice some deep breathing and relaxation techniques. If you need a break, ensure the child is left in another adult’s care.

Make sure they don’t feel guilty: Many parents experience chronic fatigue and overwork as a result of juggling the demands of their children, and life in general. As a result, it can be tempting to use our challenges such as a demanding job, an unpleasant encounter with a neighbor, or a disagreement with our partner to guilt our children into acting well. 

But our children shouldn’t be exposed to the problems we adults experience. Kids already feel enough stress and worry on their own; it’s unfair to subject them to more stress. Although it’s okay for them to be aware of how worn out you are, you should avoid discussing all the specific details.

Don’t assume: Many parents panic when their children exhibit attention-seeking habits while in fact, the issue is not a serious one. It’s normal for most children to act out at some point during their development. It doesn’t necessarily imply that they have a problem. Expecting this behaviour in children and responding to it with appropriate consequences will help you educate kids how to behave appropriately when they’re sad or want attention (3).

Bottom line: Children often engage in attention-seeking behaviour. Some young kids behave a certain way because they don’t know how to express their demands in a calmer way. There are various ways of supporting the kids, even if you don’t understand their reasons. 

It is crucial to focus on your relationship with your children as it is one of the most essential ways to meet their requirements. Their cornerstone for living a healthy life will be creating a strong and supportive bond.

References

  1. https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-to-do-about-attention-seeking-kids#recap
  2. https://sueatkinsparentingcoach.com/2020/05/what-to-do-if-you-have-an-attention-seeking-child/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4415806/
By vitalmadevadmin in Behaviour and Discipline 0 Comment

How to make your child eat vegetables?

How-can-I-make-my-child-eat-vegetables

In this article the author discusses about the various ways a parent can make their child eat vegetables.

Some of the author’s suggestions are:

  1. Encourage your child to try veggies repeatedly.
  2. Involve her in meal planning to increase her comfort with vegetables.
  3. Use colorful dishes, playful cutlery, and creatively cut veggies to make mealtimes more enjoyable.
  4. Try not to make a big deal out of your child’s decision to not eat their vegetables. Instead, just try again another time.

To read the full article, please visit: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-get-toddler-to-eat-vegetables

 

By vitalmadevadmin in Nutrition and Meals 0 Comment

How to handle children with ADHD?

how to handle children with ADHD

By Dr. Dhanalakshmi N.

Ph.D. (N), PG Psychological Counselling, M.Sc. Psychology

 

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can disturb a child’s ability to pay attention or sit silently at school and, it also can affect relationships with family and other children. Children with ADHD often show behaviors that can be very troublesome to others. Behavior therapy is a treatment option that can benefit in reducing these disruptive behaviors.

Goals of Behaviour Therapy

  • It helps parents to better understand their child’s actions.
  • It teaches parents how to create a structured environment.
  • It encourages positive behaviors and discourages unwanted or negative conduct in the child.

Tips for Parents to Improve Their Child’s Behavior

  • Set a routine: Try to follow the same schedule every day, from the time you wake up to bedtime.
  • Get organized: Encourage your child to set school bags, clothing, and toys in the same place every day so that they will be less likely to lose them.
  • Manage distractions: Turn off the TV, limit noise, and provide a clean workspace when your child is doing homework. 
  • Limit choices: To help your child not feel overwhelmed, offer choices with only a few options. For example, have them choose between two outfits/meals/toys.
  • Be clear and specific when you talk with your child: Let your child know you are listening by repeating what you heard them say. Use clear, short instructions when you need them to do something.
  • Help your child plan: Break down big tasks into smaller, shorter steps. For long tasks, start early and take breaks to limit stress.
  • Set Goals and offer praise or rewards: Make sure the goals are genuine and that your child will be able to follow them. It’s important to start with small steps. Identifying positive behaviors and appreciating or rewarding their efforts will strengthen such behavior in a child.
  • Discipline effectively: Instead of scolding, shouting, and engaging in physical abuse, use effective instructions such as removal of related privileges as consequences for the child’s inappropriate behavior. 
  • Create positive opportunities: Children with ADHD may find certain situations stressful. Identifying and encouraging the hidden talents of your child such as academics, sports, art, music, or play—can help to create positive experiences.
  • Provide a healthy lifestyle: Healthy food, lots of physical activity and sufficient sleep are important; they can prevent the progression of ADHD symptoms.
  • Practice good sleep patterns: Numerous issues stem from a lack of sleep; nevertheless, the quality of sleep is more essential than quantity. Poor sleep can harm ADHD, but sufficient sleep can help control energy levels and promote happiness.  

To conclude, children with ADHD might present difficulties for their parents and other caretakers. However, kids with ADHD can succeed and be happy with the correct support. Do not view ADHD as a behavioral issue or as a result of poor parenting. It is a special task with distinct benefits. You must consult a medical professional who is knowledgeable in ADHD in kids, for a personal and accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

Check out Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to get a better understanding.

 

References

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/behavior-therapy.html
  2. https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/add-vs-adhd#:~:text=Is%20there%20a%20difference%3F,%2C%20or%20ADHD%2C%20combined%20type.
  3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321621#twenty-one-parenting-tips
  4. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/documents/adhd-behavior-therapy-healthcare-fact-sheet.pdf
  5. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/documents/adhd-behavior-therapy-overview-all-ages.pdf
  6. https://childmind.org/article/help-for-parents-with-adhd/#treatingparents-with-adhd
By vitalmadevadmin in Behaviour and Discipline, Health and Special Needs 0 Comment

How to deal with Absent-minded children?

how-to-deal-with-absent-minded-children

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  By Dr. Dhanalakshmi N. 

Ph.D. (N), PG Psychological counseling, M.Sc. Psychology

Introduction:

We all have moments when we forget stuff. Some kids, however, seem to forget things all the time. They could struggle to memorise lists, obey orders, and follow directions. Both the child and the adults around them may find this to be quite frustrating. It could feel as though reminders are continuously being given by educators, parents, and other caretakers. We all occasionally forget stuff. However, some kids appear to forget things constantly. They could struggle to memorise lists, follow directions, and follow instructions. This can be quite frustrating for both the child and the people in their close surroundings. Teachers, parents, and other caretakers might feel like they need to remind people of things frequently.

Reasons for forgetfulness

  • Children who are stressed, sleep deprived, or hungry may forget things easily.
  • It’s possible that a child’s memory is still developing and she’s still learning how to remember things.
  • Typically, children’s memories are less vivid than adults’. As a result, children’s memory abilities usually get better over time. Improvement might also be aided by guidance.
  • Although it’s frequent, forgetfulness can have a negative impact on a child’s academic performance and learning abilities. As a result, it’s crucial to support your child in improving her memory.

Tips to help your forgetful child

  • Train your child: Teach your child to be self – reliant by showing him how to properly store his belongings, such as putting shoes on a rack or putting bags on the study table, which will make the child more likely to remember. The child will learn new lessons and retain things around them more easily if their focus is improved.
  • Stimulate your  child’s memory: Simple inquiries help in improving a child’s memory. You could, for example, ask your child, What do you usually do at this hour?
  •  Make a daily schedule: Guide your child to schedule a routine for her everyday activities. The daily schedule can include the activity type and time.
  • Praise your Child: Appreciate or give them rewards when they are not being  forgetful. Positive reinforcement will encourage children not to become forgetful. 
  • Well-Balanced food: Vitamin B-rich foods aid in enhancing a child’s memory. As a result, make sure the child eats healthy fruits and veggies. The child’s memory can be enhanced by eating foods high in omega 3s, such as salmon, tuna, shellfish, cabbage, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.

Other Memory-strengthening Exercises

  • Buying toys that can train the child’s memory. For example, puzzle games are great for improving a child’s memory. Give children the opportunity to arrange the puzzle into the right shape. 
  • Reading books is one of the best ways to improve children’s memory. You can make your child read her favorite story books. After reading, ask them about the contents of the story they have read. 
  • Studies have proved that clapping hands together improves memory. 
  • Playing games and doing sports such as guessing pictures, random images, etc., improve memory. 

Conclusion

Children can forget things in two ways: normally and abnormally. Tiredness, poor diet, stress, taking certain drugs, and health conditions can all cause a child to become forgetful. Teachers and parents can try to improve their child’s memory by teaching her independence, asking questions to stimulate their memory, setting up a daily schedule, rewarding the child when she is not forgetful, giving her foods containing vitamin B, making her focus on her tasks, encouraging discipline, and buying toys that can train memory and reading. Every parent must be aware of their child’s characteristics and monitor their growth. Parents can handle a child’s regular forgetfulness on their own, but if the child has abnormal forgetfulness, the parents should be on lookout.

References:

  1. https://fkip.unri.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2019_OBSESI-Jurnal_Strategy-for-Overcoming-Forgetful-Children.pdf
  2. https://www.additudemag.com/working-memory-exercises-for-children-with-adhd/
  3. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/why-some-kids-are-so-forgetful

 

 

By vitalmadevadmin in Behaviour and Discipline, Health and Special Needs 0 Comment

How can I make my child eat healthy food?

How-can-I-make-my-child-eat-healthy

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       – By Siyona Varghese

Kids and families today lead hectic lives. This makes it challenging to prepare daily meals from scratch. A lot of youngsters’ diets include takeout and other convenient foods. Getting your kids to eat healthily can be difficult due to peer pressure and junk food availability and commercials on TV. The health of your child may suffer as a result. Some of the issues caused by improper diet can continue into adulthood.

However, adopting a nutritious diet can have a significant impact on your child’s health, helping them in maintaining a healthy weight, regulating their moods, improving their memory, and reducing the number of health issues. A nutritious diet can also have a significant impact on mental and emotional health of your child. It can assist in the prevention of disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, depression and so on. It is vital to keep in mind that your children do not naturally crave junk food such as burgers and pizza and dislike green veggies. As youngsters are exposed to an increasing number of bad food options, they gradually develop this conditioning. You may, however, change your kid’s food preferences so they start to seek healthier meals. Keep healthy food options available to your children while keeping junk food out of sight. Maintain consistent food timings everyday and ensure they eat on time so they don’t develop cravings.

The earlier you start introducing healthy, nutritious meals to a child’s diet, the simpler it will be for them to form a positive, lifelong relationship with food. It might also be quicker and easier than you think. Using these suggestions, you can teach your children good eating habits without making mealtimes a struggle, giving them the best chance to develop into healthy, balanced individuals. You can encourage and teach your kids to eat properly in a variety of ways including the following.

Tips to encourage your children to eat healthy

Set an Example: The greatest method for you to promote healthy eating is to practice good eating yourself. Children will take after the adults they regularly interact with. You’ll be conveying the appropriate message if you consume fruits and vegetables in moderation rather than overindulging in less healthy foods.

Serving reasonable portions and avoiding overeating are two other ways to set an example for the kids (1). Talk to younger kids in particular about your emotions of fullness. You might say, “Although the food tastes really good, I’m going to stop eating now since I feel already full.” Children may take after their parents who constantly diet or worry about their physique, in the same way. Maintain a cheerful attitude when discussing food.

Involve children in decision making:  You can include young kids in decision making especially if they are 4 years or older. Allow your children to assist you in grocery and meal planning. You can teach kids how to read food labels, if they are able to read, so they are aware of the nutrient content of the items they are selecting. Further, they can assist in the meal preparation and take some responsibility for their food. The majority of children will love choosing the dinner menu. Discuss making decisions and preparing a balanced dinner with them. Choose age-appropriate duties for the kids so that they can participate without getting hurt or feeling overloaded (2).

Also, don’t forget to thank the cook when the meal is ready. Kids should participate in decision making for another crucial reason: it might help them develop the skills necessary to make wise choices about the meals they wish to eat on their own. Even though it’s not a guarantee, the mealtime routines you help them establish today may inspire a lifetime of healthy decisions.

Limit Outside Food: Apps for food delivery have grown rapidly during the recent years. What most parents may not be aware of, is that consuming food frequently from outside the home is strongly linked with having a high BMI (body mass index) (3). Both the elderly and young populations continue to experience an epidemic of overweight and obesity, today.

You don’t have to make major changes to your family’s diet plan. Find a few healthy substitutes in your cupboard or refrigerator. Add healthier items gradually until you’ve started making better eating choices. Early in life, food preferences start appearing. Introduce various foods to your child early on. Make sure that your toddler can see the whole fruit by leaving it out on the kitchen table, this will act as a simple reminder. Reducing processed foods, and visits to restaurants and fast-food outlets will greatly improve your child’s physical health.

Do not use food as Reward or Punishment: Parents frequently give their children a “special” food item as a reward for positive behavior or a job well done. And those food items are usually unhealthy. Such parents may also be denying those foods as a type of discipline. For instance, you may have been declining to offer dessert if your kids argued or didn’t tidy up their rooms (4). However, rewarding or punishing children with food can go against the healthy eating lessons you’re attempting to teach them. Children end up frequently consuming meals that are heavy in sugar and fats, when they are used to treats like candy, chips or sugary carbonated drinks as rewards. Even worse it messes with youngsters’ inborn capacity to control their eating. Additionally, it tempts children to indulge in foods even when they are not hungry. By rewarding children with junk foods, you are sending the wrong message that junk foods are to be aspired to.

Bottom line:

What matters are the decisions your children make about their food choices, in the long run. Your children may enjoy eating ice-cream sundaes or popcorn at the movies. And that’s okay. Your kids will be alright as long as you keep the balance between fun times and healthy eating and exercise. You don’t need to work too hard to get your kids to eat healthily. If you keep providing nutritious food, kids will keep consuming it. They’ll also learn how to eat independently which is essential for long-term health. It’s time to put these strategies into use and inspire your kids to eat healthy nutritious food. Surely, you’ll be able to make meals less of a struggle for the younger generation while still promoting lasting healthy habits.

References

1. https://familydoctor.org/nutrition-tips-for-kids/

2. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/habits.html

3. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.00014/full

4. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?

By vitalmadevadmin in Nutrition and Meals 0 Comment

Healthy food for kids

healthy-eating

In this article about healthy food for kids, the author explains about various good eating habits and certain basic guidelines for parents too.

Some of them are:

  • Display good eating habits yourself, if you want to ensure that your child eats nutritious food. Remember, children often copy their parents.
  • Your child’s physical health may be greatly improved by cutting down on restaurant visits and resisting the urge to order food online.
  • It would encourage the youngster to make good food choices if she was involved in meal planning and selection.
  • Last but not least, it is crucial to keep in mind that you shouldn’t use food as a reward or bribe.
  • If you do, kids may end up having a poor relationship with eating.

To read the full article, please visit https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/healthy-food-for-kids.htm

By vitalmadevadmin in Nutrition and Meals 0 Comment

My Child is Naughty! What Should I Do?

my child is naughty what should I do?

 – By Dr. Jetson Satya Gospel

It is quite natural and normal for any child to be naughty. As a parent we need to be mindful about it and know when and how to react. Here are a few tips to help you handle naughty children when they cross the boundary.

Tips for handling Naughty kids

Reasons behind the behaviour: Stop assuming that they’re misbehaving and discuss with  them about what’s happening in a calm tone. Reason with them and explain what they could have done better.

Screen time: Reduce screen time to make them less cranky and to enhance their sleep quality.

Rules & Guidelines: Ensure your children understand what the rules and guidelines are at home and elsewhere, and what is expected of them.

Be Firm: Do not yield to your kids’ bad attitude. Be firm in your resolve to address their behaviour.

Do not harp: It’s not the children who are bad, but it is their behaviour. So, treat them kindly. In case the children are younger than 4 years of age, do tell them firmly that it is not okay to do so every time they do it, but do not lecture or harp on it. Tell them and redirect them to another activity. Focusing too much on bad behaviour can also reinforce it.

Appreciate them: Appreciate your children when  they do good. This reinforces good behaviour.

Bonding over quality time: Children need your attention and love. Make it an everyday practice to spend quality time together.

Constructive engagement: Make sure your children are engaged in good activities. They are less prone to be naughty when they are occupied in some activities that they enjoy. Ensure they have some independence so they don’t feel constrained.

Tips for handling yourself

 Time Out: If you feel you’ve been pushed over your limits, take time out. Step aside and let another take care of the children. Take time to relax and cool down.

Self Care: Take care of yourself. When you do, you are a better parent.

Reliability: Be dependable, reliable and consistent.

Composure: Remain steadfast and keep a steady composure without throwing a fit despite wanting to.

Remember who the Adult is: Try not to dump your irritation on your kid and try not to vent your anger on your child.

Do not shout: Shouting won’t yield any positive results. When you shout, your children will tune you out. They would listen to the sounds and not to the words.

Your  conduct will be a mirror to your kids’ way of behaving, so ensure your behaviour is something that your children can follow. Try not to be too harsh on your children as this will make them insincere and adamant. Being clear and straightforward with your kids will go a long way in ensuring that they don’t act naughty constantly. Show respect, love and regard towards your children and they will return the same towards you and others.

References

https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/calling-a-child-naughty-can-traumatise-them-say-experts-7194432.html#:~:text=P%20arents%20should%20not%20call,if%20they%20are%20behaving%20badly.

By vitalmadevadmin in Behaviour and Discipline 0 Comment

10 ways to deal with adamant kids

How-to-deal-with-adamant-kids

 – By Dr. Jetson Satya Gospel

It is quite natural and normal for a child to be adamant however, this doesn’t make the parent’s hardships any less. It can be quite difficult to convince the kid to do something as simple as sleep, take a bath or eat which finally leads to a disagreement. Maintaining this could seem like a burden. It is important to make the child realize the consequences of such behaviour. To encourage children to pay attention to you, you must also recognize the worth of the consistent effort and moral behaviour.

Here are 10 strategies for dealing with an adamant child:

  1. Avoid being the parent who starts fights: Listen carefully to anything your kid has to say and transform it into a discussion rather than a contention.
  2. Connect with your kid: Try sitting in front of the TV with your child for a while if you think they should quit watching TV and focus on homework instead. Once you’ve established some rapport, your child will start to paying attention to you.
  3. Give them options: Offer them choices at play and study. This would make them feel that they have control over their lives. They will appreciate the autonomy in what they do.
  4. Empathize with your child: Consider what your child sees as the most important issue to address and then try to understand why they are acting so adamantly.
  5. Harmony at home: Ensure that your house is where your kid feels cheerful, good, and secure. Be courteous to everybody at home, particularly your partner, as kids observe us continuously and try to imitate us and also learn from us.
  6. Reach an agreement: Instead of imposing firm boundaries, try to negotiate with them. For instance, if the child insists on hearing two stories before bed, attempt to come to an agreement whereby he can choose one story for this evening and the other for another night.
  7. Encourage positive behavior: Appreciate good things that your child does. It encourages him to repeat such behaviour. By having positive attitude yourself, you set an example for your child. If you frequently use the words “no”, “won’t” your child is likely to follow the same.
  8. Plan schedules: Setting up and following a regular plan for your child will help towards improving your child’s manners and academic performance week after week.
  9. Set down rules and expectations: Explain the rules to your child and what you expect out of him. But take note that although consistency is crucial, this should not imply rigidity. Being flexible, when circumstances require, is equally vital.
  10. Tell them a story: Explain model behaviour through stories. Stories could include your life story as well.

Let this day be a start to your parenting life story from a new paradigm 

References

  1. Burket, R. C., Cox, D. J., Tam, A. P., Ritterband, L., Borowitz, S., Sutphen, J., … & Kovatchev, B. (2006). Does” stubbornness” have a role in pediatric constipation?. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 27(2), 106-111.
  2. Hosseini, S., Naziri, G., & Rozdar, E. (2014). Effectiveness of Storytelling therapy on the reduction of aggression and stubbornness in children with oppositional defiant disorder.
  3. Stormshak, E. A., Bierman, K. L., McMahon, R. J., & Lengua, L. J. (2000). Parenting practices and child disruptive behavior problems in early elementary school. Journal of clinical child psychology, 29(1), 17-29.
By vitalmadevadmin in Behaviour and Discipline 0 Comment