To Push or Not to Push: How to Help Your Child Deal with the Inevitable Stresses of Life

McLean Hospital Guest Blogger Kathryn D. Boger, PhD, ABPP Some kids acclimate quickly to new situations. They express excitement about meeting their new classmates at the start of the school year, jump right into the mix at birthday parties, and easily adapt if and when their regular routine is disrupted. For other kids, change is challenging. If your child fits into this latter category, you have a tougher job as a parent. Here are some tips for supporting the child who is behaviorally inhibited, struggles with transitions, and shies away in the face of new people and places. Avoid Avoidance What do you do when your child backs out of a playdate the night before because he's too scared to go to his friend's house? As a mother, I know that it's very tempting to call the other parent and cancel; but we know from research and experience that avoidance breeds more avoidance. By letting your child stay home, you would be telling him, "You can't handle it." Instead, I suggest gradually building up to the playdate by setting smaller goals and praising each step along the way. For example, you might sit down with your child and outline a "bravery chart" with smaller steps leading to the ultimate goal of the playdate; he could start with a playdate in your home, then in the friend's home with you present, then a short one alone, etc. Model Calm When your child is crying hysterically and shaking, it's easy to get anxious, frustrated, angry, discouraged, embarrassed or all of the ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news