swaggerdad Every child is different. However, how do you know if their behavior is a cause for concern or normal? Here are three things that you should look out for.
The role of parents in the lives of their children is very tricky. As a guardian, you have to not only protect but monitor and guide your children while they grow up. However, you also have to explore the world, find their identity, make their own decisions, and, learn from their mistakes. How does a parent know when to intervene? Crippling Anxiety
Everyone, from young children to older adults, experiences anxiety. Often, it happens before an important exam, a job interview, a public speaking engagement, etc. Children experience anxiety when exposed to new experiences such as starting piano lessons or the first day of school. Most of the time, the feeling goes away as soon as they realize that there is nothing to fear or worry about.
Photo by Heike Mintel
However, when anxiety grows and starts negatively affecting their lives, that is when it becomes a problem. Some children suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a condition in which fears, often irrational, cannot be controlled or quelled by their parents. Symptoms include restlessness, stomachaches, irritability, sleep difficulties, difficulty concentrating, etc. If you think that your child has GAD, talk to a psychologist. A psychologist will be able to teach your child how to properly manage their anxiety and confront their irrational fear.
Frequent and Intense Temper Tantrums
It is normal for very young children to have temper tantrums when they do not get their way, or they feel hungry or sleepy. Although embarrassing, there really is nothing to worry about whenever your child starts crying and trashing in public. However, in rare cases, temper tantrums are signs of a bigger problem. You should start to worry if the temper tantrums are severe, occurring multiple times a day, lasting longer than usual, cause injury to your child or yourself, or damaging to your property. If your child over the age of 5 is having temper tantrums, that is also something that you should address.
Photo by Ksenia Makagonova
When the temper tantrums become excessive and dangerous, it is time to see a mental health specialist to identify an underlying disorder that is causing them to act badly. Choose a therapy-based treatment so your child learns how to manage their emotions in a healthy way.
Repeated Misbehavior
As your child grows older, you might notice them constantly testing your limits. They might make the same mistakes over and over again to see if you will stick with the rules you have set. However, if you have consistently punished wrong behavior, yet they still continue to act up, you need to make changes in your approach. That does not mean you should dole out more severe disciplinary action.Sometimes, sitting down with your child to discuss why they do what they do helps you create a compromise that works for both of you. It will also prevent your child from seeing you as an “enemy,” a person who does not understand nor let them live how they want to. If you have to punish them, try to come up with something that is related to what they did wrong. Did they refuse to do their chores today? Then make them help you do tasks around the house this weekend. The punishment has to make sense so that they understand that they made a mistake.
Photo by Marco Albuquerque
Being a parent will not be easy. No matter how well you think you raised your child, they will do something that you would not like. That is not a cause for worry. Try to steer them to the right path and everything will be okay.
Post contribute By Feddy Salse
Cover Photo by Annie Spratt
