Tuesday, Nov 1, 2011Coping With A Negative Child

Children are bombarded by thousands of negative messages every day. Educational leaders- teachers,

principals, parents need to create a positive atmosphere for our children, help the children to believe in
themselves. Educational leaders can help children escape from the ever increasing web of failure, fear and social ills. ~ Reed Markham, Ph.D

Kids go through changes throughout their lives, and just when they think they understand how it is, it changes.  Sometimes this makes the child view life negatively.  This negativity is normal, but if you see symptoms like low appetite, less sleep at night, an attitude of angry indifference, or poor grades, you might want to see the help of a professional. Of great importance:  how you handle your negative child will have strong bearing on the rest of his or her life, so be compassionate.

The Negative Child Frequently Starts at Home

It might be tough for you to admit this, but we know globally that both nature and nurture play a role in the development of your child, so you may have nurtured him into some negative viewpoints.  Be honest and talk to him about your role. Let’s say you don’t praise much but you are quick to point out his negative behavior, you have taught him this. They inadvertently pick up all they see and hear. If you fight with your spouse, this is another source of your child’s negativity.

Steps You Can Take

Find ways to stop your own negative responses to all around you. It’s not easy but it’s worth the effort. All you need to do is to take the next step, however small.  Create a few sentences you can say to yourself if you see yourself acting negatively.

Try asking yourself how you can act in more of a positive light. Look for ways to compliment before criticizing. This is telling your child that you believe in him and you recognize the good he does.

Low Self Esteem

Low self esteem can occur in children who are overweight or have medical problems. It can also occur in a child who’s healthy and physically acceptable. Experts can’t explain this. Kids with low self esteem have a harder time meeting challenges, like excelling in sports. A child with low self esteem might see the world as a tough place and won’t appreciate life.

What You Can Do to Help

You cannot “fix” this problem immediately. It will take love, understanding, and patience to help your child. You can help by listening to him attentively. Let him know his feelings are important to you. Praise him a lot more than you do negative feedback.

You can help your child look at the world more positively. If you work to change, he’ll change. If you love and understand him you’ll help him become less the negative child and more someone he’ll enjoy being.

When I was younger, I used to be obsessed with optimism. I could not tolerate any thought of a possible ill outcome. ~ Chin-Ning Chu