Tag: child psychologist

Single Parenting Tips


There are a number of factors that may impact the mental health of children of single parents. Among them, the attention these children get is one of the main factors. Of course, the income levels of the single parent may also affect the mental health and self-esteem levels of children. It is not necessary that children of single parents should face problems. If you, as a single parent, teach self-respect and self-learning and infuse self-confidence in your children, these young ones can certainly grow into responsible and wise adults.

As a single parent, you should understand the following:

Accept That You Cannot Control Everything

You should understand that certain things in life cannot be controlled. This is what makes life unpredictable. You must know the things in which there are choices and those things in which you do not have any options. For example, your children may be facing problems in school or other places because there will be inputs from other children and parents.

Learn To Manage The Emotional Problems Associated With Single Parent Status

As a single parent, you may have a few emotional problems. You should therefore learn to manage them so that you are not affected by mental stress. Having frequent “fun times” with the children and using the power of humor may help you get rid of your emotional issues. At the same time, it should not be all “fun time.” Children should learn that you mean business also when it is needed.

Dignity

Experts say that single parents and especially, single mothers have what is known as “matriarchal dignity.” When you make it a point to preserve your dignity at all costs, it may rub on your children also. This may improve their self-esteem.

Take Good Care Of Yourself

Never forget that you are a single parent and the welfare of your children depends upon your welfare. You should therefore take good care of yourself by doing your regular exercises, by eating healthy foods and by managing stress. These activities will help you gain confidence and since your children consider you as their role model, your confidence will rub on them also.

Courage

Scary things may happen in everyone’s life and being a single mother, you may encounter a number of such things also. You should be courageous enough to face such situations squarely. If you surmount those problems successfully, your children will also learn how to face life’s events boldly.

Express Your Love Frequently

Your children should know that you love them and so, you should sincerely express your love as frequently as possible. You should spend sufficient quality time with them so that you can listen to their points of view. They should know that you are there to help them in every step including setting goals and achieving them. You should support them in their studies and other extra-curricular activities and hobbies. You can also help them in choosing friends and maintaining good relationships with them. If necessary, you can talk to their teacher so that they can have a good ambiance in their school.

But at the same time, you should guard against over-helping them. Children should learn to be independent for which you can help them learn how to solve problems.

If you take all these steps, you can succeed in raising confident children despite the fact that you are a single parent.

Why Do Children Feel Anxious?


Why Do Children Feel Anxious?

children, anxiety, anxious children,Anxiety is a common among people of all age groups. Be it toddlers, children, preteens, teenagers, or adults all tend to get anxious. It is hard to overcome anxiety since it causes a lot of stress. It stems from fear of something. Toddlers fear loud noise. But fear is not always a negative feeling – it makes you cautious and prepares you for the worst situation possible. Children often hide anxiety behind smiles or introvert behavior. This is because they are unable to express their fears and anxieties freely with anyone. As a parent you must keep a check on your child’s mannerisms.

How to identify children with anxiety?

Children with anxiety are often unnoticed because parents do not have the knowledge regarding the same. There are a few symptoms that can be spotted in children, which indicate clear signs of anxiety.

Children often exhibit signs of perpetual pessimism. They think negatively about everything. They predict the worst case scenario for every situation. They become highly critical of themselves and blame themselves for everything that goes wrong in the world. They often show aggression, anger, restlessness, rebellious behavior and throw tantrums. They also tend to cry often, and keep poor health. They face regular stomach ache, headache, as well as sleep disorders. They often face separation anxiety have a poor ability to concentrate. They withdraw from activities and family interactions, and have a low appetite.

How to help your child overcome anxiety?

It is your duty as a parent to teach your child overcome anxiety. Children with anxiety benefit from parents’ love and support. You could initiate this by making a structured routine for him to follow. This helps the child believe in stability in events. He or she feels a sense of control over situations. In addition to that, you must pay heed to a child’s basic needs. Ensure that you allot time for spending some quality time with your child, where your child can feel free with you and express their desires and fears. Physical exercise is also required for a growing child. Not to mention, that it is a great stress buster.

The talking cure

Big issues can be resolved with the help of the talking cure. While spending quality time with your child you must ensure that you enquire about your child’s dreams and ambitions in life. You must motivate your child to pursue things which he or she enjoys doing. If your child shows you a work of art that they created, you must appreciate their efforts. When your child feels that he has your support, he shall feel comfortable and attain a certain emotional security. This emotional security reduces your child’s anxiety and stress levels.

You must give him a chance to express his feelings. The child must find a confidante in you. This lays groundwork for your child’s teenage years to come. It is because once he begins to trust you at a tender age, he will surely confide in you with everything else.

For help with your child’s anxiety or to see a child psychologist specializing in anxiety, visit our website.

Why Do Teenagers Face Relationship Problems?


Why Do Teenagers Face Relationship Problems?

teens and relationships, teens and relationship problems, teen depressionRelationships are not easy to tackle, even for adults. So you cannot expect your teenager child to be successful with his or her relationships at one go. You must let your teen child to relax and accept them with their mistakes. These mistakes are lessons in life. These early experiences are crucial to every teen’s life, as it molds the person they turn out to be. You must be very careful while training your teenager kid, so that the child does not regret any decisions made later on in life. This can be done by maintaining a pleasant environment at home. Children learn fast by observing their parents. So, if you display signs of a happy marriage, your child shall also follow suit. But children may still have issues dealing with relationships.

Teen friendships: Are they complicated?

Teen friendships can be tricky to maintain. These relationships spring up, especially when the teenager becomes detached from his family members. He looks for pleasure elsewhere. This detachment and consequential search for a partner happens, owing to the fact that the child feels that only same age people can understand each other’s psyche. The teen has trouble relating to adults. Teenagers look for friends with whom they can discuss their fears as well as anxieties. These friendships stem out of common interests and loyalty. This sense of loyalty can neither be felt during childhood, nor as an adult.

Teenage relationships and its dynamics

Friendships may turn out to be healthy relationship, which are long lasting, but romantic relationships can be difficult to maintain. This is because teenagers can identify with their best buddies, while they have to put up a show in most cases. They pretend to be someone else, just to please their beloved partner. But for how long can they put up the performance, they are bound to realize that they are doing something unworthy and quit eventually.

It has been observed that teenagers can be positively aggressive if they seek revenge. Teenage girls seek revenge by ill-mouthing their friends or partner, if they have been hurt by the concerned person, in the past. These are like verbal assaults, which are humiliating for the person at the receiving end. On the other hand, teenage boys only withdraw from whoever caused them the hurt and let things remain as they are.

Teenagers bond better with friends of the same sex more often than not. Boys like to open up to boys and girls are more comfortable sharing issues with other girls. There are a few cases, but very rare, where teenagers gel with the opposite sex. This could be attributed to the fact that they are in a self-discovery phase.

As a parent, it is only normal that you worry about the company your teenager is in, but you must trust them and teach them to choose the right path for themselves. They may not always be the best judge, as they are not as experienced in life, like you. Do not expect them to always make the right decision. Let them make their own mistakes and learn about life in its due course. Do not hasten a natural process.

For a teen psychologist ro child psychologist, please visit our website.