Posts
WebMD Feature Reviewed byHansa D. Bhargava, MD
Just when you think your child is capable of acting almost "adult," or at least more mature than they used to be, they do something that makes you wonder what they're thinking.
They stretch the truth, pretend they don’t hear you, or explode into tears seemingly over nothing. They tease and babble like they were still babies. Why? There are usually simple explanations and ways to head off these habits.
FibbingThe lies may be little ("Yes, I made my bed!") to bigger ("No, I didn't hit my sister.") but you know that what you're hearing is far from the truth.
Why they do it: Because they fear the punishment; or because they have gotten away with it before and hope they can again; or because they don't want to disappoint you, says Michele Borba, PhD, author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions.
TeasingThis is good-natured ribbing of friends, siblings, and other family members -- not bullying.
Why they do it: Because it's fun and can make the teaser feel powerful, says Dawn Huebner, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Exeter, N.H., and the creator of the What-to-Do Guides for Kids series.
What to do about it: Help your child know when they're going too far and how to be sensitive to other people's feelings.
When your child teases someone who doesn't like it, take her aside and ask her how her comments are making the other person feel. "Boost their sensitivity skills by encouraging her to look at the other child's reactions and her facial expressions," Borba says.
Of course, if the teasing is clearly going too far, you should step in to make sure the kids are safe. Then take them aside to talk about what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.
Playing PranksWhy they do it: For laughs, to feel powerful, and to get a reaction out of you, Huebner says.
What to do: Talk to children about when and how it's OK to play jokes and pranks, and how to tell if it goes too far.
Is the prank harmless or mean-spirited? Does it make someone laugh or distress them? Can your child tell the difference?
"Kids sometimes have a stronger sense of humor than they do a sense of consequences, so you might need to help them see how the other person may not be laughing," Borba says.
Pouring on the DramaWhy they do it: To get attention or because they're still learning how to handle their emotions. Some kids may be acting. Others "really feel things deeply, intensely. In the moment, they are devastated," Huebner says.
What to do: Don't reward it with your attention. Instead, talk about it and about other ways to handle emotions like anger, jealousy, or frustration. Be empathetic. "In the moment, telling her, ‘Hey, it's no big deal,' feels to her like you're minimizing the issue. Instead, say that you understand how hard the situation is, or that you see how frustrated she is."
1 | 2 Next Page > #url_reference {display: none};#url_reference { display: block; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10px; }#logo_rdr img { visibility: visible; }.titleBar_rdr .titleBarMiddle_fmt { padding-top: 1.5em !important;} Top Picks Bedtime Routines to Keep Kids Dry All Night Why Kids Whine and How to Stop Them How to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthier When to Tell Your Kids About Sex 7 Tips for Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy Assess Your Pet's Health Related to Parenting & Children’s Health Help for Your Child’s Eczema How Is ADHD Affecting Your Life? Help for Tummy Troubles in Kids The Facts: Kids’ Oral Health Children’s Vision Screening 9 Surprising Reasons to Get More Sleep Health & Parenting Home News Reference Videos Videos Community Questions and Answers Glossary
Health & Parenting Guide 1 Baby 2 Toddler 3 Preschooler 4 Grade Schooler 5 Tween 6 Teen See what others are asking aboutVisit WebMD Answers
Related to Parenting Baby Development Baby Nutrition Bottle Feeding Breastfeeding Family Health Guide Teen Drug Abuse of Cough Medicine Teen Health More Related Topics
Top 12 Issues 1. Children's Sleep 2. Sibling Rivalry 3. Fighting Flu 4. Parenting Tweens 5. Healthy Eating 6. HPV Vaccine 7. Kid Hearing Loss 8. Preschooler Milestones 9. ADHD Symptoms 10. Food Allergies 11. Discipline Tips 12. Potty Training 13. Emotional Development Living Healthy Centers Baby & Newborn Balance Children's Health Fitness Food & Recipes Healthy Beauty Pet Health Pregnancy Raising Fit Kids Sex & Relationships Teen Health Women's Health More Family & Parenting This Week on 
Make a Cheese Tortilla Snack! 
How Santa Stays So Jolly and Fit 
Is a Broken Heart Real? Today in Parenting 
Slideshow Does Birth Order Matter? 
Article Is Dirt Good for Kids? 
Article Got Tantrums? Talk Like a Toddler 
Slideshow 10 Steps to Fast, Easy Cleaning 
Tool Girls and Puberty: Had the Talk? 
Slideshow The Dirtiest Places Kids Will Find 
Slideshow Home Remedies for Cold and Flu 
Video What to Look for in a Pediatric Dentist 
Article How Adult Vaccines Help Protect Kids 
fitSlideshow Show Your Children How Special They Are 
Quiz Is It a Cold or the Flu? 
Slideshow What Are the Symptoms of ADHD? Subscribe to WebMD Newsletters WebMD Daily Women's Health Men's Health Weight Loss Wisdom I have read and agree to WebMD's Privacy Policy. Submit Sign up for more topics! WebMD Special Sections Top Questions About Family Health How Mom Can Stop Germs Health Solutions From Our Sponsors Vaccine Questions? Low Testosterone? Bipolar Disorder Facts Birth Control for Moms Blood Sugar Control Bent Fingers? Diagnosed With Low T? Fibromyalgia & Exercise Depression & Adults Child with Diabetes? Vaccines for All Ages Knee Pain Relief Itchy, Scaly Skin? Hearing Aid Alternative Relapsing MS Help In-depth coverage: Psoriasis Treatment on Target?|Healthy Mouth Help|RA Assessment|Living Healthy Guide|Family & Pregnancy Toolbox|Check Your Heartburn Symptoms Find us on:URAC: Accredited Health Web Site©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
View the Original article
0 comments:
Post a Comment