While talking is very important, it’s also important to be kind when needed. Try to involve your child in your work as much as possible. Pay attention to them and join in their favourite activities; this will bring you closer together. Children naturally seek their parents’ attention and approval, so smart parents use this to get their children to cooperate in different ways. Discipline means teaching and learning. To help your children understand what they need to know and correct their behaviour when needed, you have to talk to them in a way that they respect and understand you.
Not spending enough time with children and ignoring what they say can put them under a lot of stress. Yelling at them or blaming them before they can talk increases their stress and can also make them resent their loved ones. Ignoring both their good and bad qualities can lead to feelings of depression. Also, not allowing them to hang out with other children or being criticized by teachers for poor grades can push them into a dark place. Sadly, some children even think about committing suicide because of these pressures. This came up during our discussions with children, who shared many problems related to their parents. We also spoke to their families and found that many of these children came from single-parent homes. There were not many children from large families, but those who were had better communication, especially with grandparents. Parents often expect perfect behaviour from their children, which adds to the pressure.
While it is good to limit screen time for children, parents need to control their phone use and make time for their children too. This is especially important during exam periods. During our discussion, the children mentioned several issues related to their parents. Completely ignoring a child can affect their emotional, social, and thinking skills in the long run. Children may feel that they are not worth much or that no one loves them, which can hurt their self-esteem. Being ignored can also make them anxious and unhappy, and in some cases, it can even lead to severe depression. They may become angry either at themselves or at the people who care for them, and this anger may come out as anger or aggression. Children may find it difficult to make good friendships as they do not learn to communicate or get along with others.
They may start avoiding social situations, which can make them feel even more lonely. Sometimes, they may do things just to get attention, even if it is negative. Not giving children enough attention can also harm their brain development and their performance in school, as they may not feel motivated or encouraged to learn. When children don’t get a chance to interact, it can slow down their language skills and overall thinking abilities as they miss out on important learning moments. They may end up with insecure attachment styles, which can affect their future relationships and emotional well-being as adults. All this emotional neglect can increase the likelihood of mental health problems later on. So, in short, ignoring a child can lead to a lot of negative emotions, social conflicts, behavioural problems, and learning problems.
Caregivers need to pay attention to children, giving them the support and communication they need to grow up healthily. Talking is very important, but so is being kind when needed! Try to involve your child in your work as much as possible. Pay attention to them and join in their favourite activities; this will bring closeness between the two of you. Children naturally seek their parents’ attention and approval, so savvy parents use this to get their children to cooperate in different ways. Discipline means teaching and learning. To help your children understand what they need to know and correct their behaviour when needed, you have to talk to them in a way that they respect and understand you. For some great tips on this important parenting skill, check out Adele Farber’s book “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and How to Listen So Kids Will Talk.”
And remember, any kind of punishment such as hitting, shaming, isolating, yelling, or scolding is a no-no. These things can harm your child and hurt their soul. Good parents teach their children about the power of words and logic, helping them to become responsible, compassionate individuals who know how to behave in a rational manner. The support that families provide to their children, whether right or wrong, can sometimes lead them astray from the right path. It is essential to instil the values of tolerance and ideals in children. It is important to encourage open communication with them both at home and school. Additionally, it is important to assess the mental health of children from time to time. It is important to create an environment that guides children on the right path, and this responsibility goes beyond parents and teachers to include society and the government as well.
