-
Cut back on
activities that take you away from your child’s presence.
-
Club meetings and
working overtime can wait, your child can not.
-
Take care of
yourself. Face problems head-on and take action to maintain your
well-being.
-
Bring more laughter
and pleasurable activities into your family’s daily life.
-
Help your child learn
to recognise and name his/her feelings. Show acceptance of negative
feelings, but not negative behaviour.
-
Talking it out really
does help prevent a child from "acting out" negative
emotions.
-
If your child can’t
talk to you about his difficulties, find someone with whom he can
talk.
-
Even short-term
counselling can be beneficial to a child experiencing stress.
-
Provide creative
outlets for your child-basic art supplies, books, Logo, whatever he
enjoys.
-
Widen your support
circle.
-
Talk with friends and
family, join a support group, seek professional help for problems.
-
Hug your child often.
Tell him/her you love him/her every day.
-
Don’t be too soft.
Instead, be a strong and powerful presence for your child.
-
Be certain that
control and power remain with the parents, not the child.
-
Use firm but loving
discipline.
-
Increase rather than
decrease, your expectations of responsibility and respect from your
child.
-
The goal of these
interventions during times of stress in your child or family is to
provide a safe haven at home.
-
Following these
principles will give the child a sense of security and protection,
allowing them to cope with painful feelings and learn resilience and
self-control.
-
Behaviour problems
diminish and development stays on track even during the toughest times
for families.
-
When you are
unsuccessful in attempts to help your child, or when the problem is
too much for you to handle, get professional help.
-
Don’t hesitate to
ask for advice.
