How to raise your sensitive child

Date
Nov, 09, 2016
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Is my Child Sensitive or Naughty?

How do we know we have a sensitive child? It can come in many shapes and forms from crying a lot when told of or things goes wrong, might be trying really hard to please you and others, or be very considerate about you and might often ask how was your day’ etc. Your child might notice all small changes and might not like surprises and maybe seem very intuitive .  Or your child is the opposite (or both, jackal & Hyde) ; very defying, angry and argumentative and difficult to give consequences (since seem not to care or end up give you a consequence back)!

Why often Consequence  don’t work on a sensitive child:

Sensitive Consequences for a Sensitive Child

Sensitive children tend to be very self-critical and hard on themselves so often end up ‘punishing themselves’ since they process their mistakes so thoroughly. Therefore parental criticism is an especially hard blow – since they have punished them self already!

Often when we give our sensitive child ‘consequences’ or ‘correction’ i.e. “don’t do that”, “no” or a traditional time-out, it can hurt them too much emotionally and they see it as a huge attack on them, taking it very very close to heart. Therefor they often try to get out of time out or consequences, ‘demanding’ hugs/kisses to reconnect again or even try to get back on your for the hurt you have done or pretend not to care!!

My advice to you; listened to your intuition and find better solutions for YOUR sensitive child.

Disciplines to Avoid:

  1. Avoid shaming: Sensitive children are particularly sensitive to shaming. “You naughty child” or “why can’t you get it right” may seem like mild correction, but to sensitive children, these words can be devastating.
  2.  Avoid teasing: Some families use teasing as light-hearted fun, but the sarcastic messages which are almost always imbedded in the teasing will not be lost on a sensitive child. E.g. “Uh-oh, Emma is baking cookies. Hold your ears! The smoke detector will be going off any minute!”
  3.  Avoid physical discipline: For every child!
  4. Avoid isolating or withdrawing warmth and love: Time-out or ignoring is not the most effective way to teach any child, but again, sensitive children are particularly sensitive to the harm it does.
  5.  Avoid being lenient: Remember ‘I love you too much to behave like this’. Don’t avoid correcting your sensitive child out of fear of hurting his/her feelings or because you feel sorry for them! Loving correction that is not harsh or shaming will not damage them but will help them to reach their fullest potential and feel valued.
  6. Don’t make up rules on the go: Your sensitive child might be very sensitive to right-and-wrong and to ‘fairness’. So if you have agreed on a rule stick to it and don’t change it or make up a new one without a discussion.

Disciplines to Favour:

Change your tone of voice for correction: For sensitive children, a correction given in a serious tone of voice is often enough to change their behavior because they want to please their parents (or any adult). Knowing they stepped out of line is distressing and will cause them to correct their behavior.

  1. Connect before your correct: Since sensitive children often approach a threat, by shutting down quickly, it is important to reassure them that you are on their side and will help them solve the problem. Listen, accept what you hear and reach an agreement together!
  2. Replace time-out for time-in: Because it is best to avoid isolating sensitive children to a time-out chair, time-in is a good alternative whereby you take the child to a calming area, help him/her to calm down if needed and then discuss why the behavior was unacceptable and what they can do instead.
  3. Use consequences sparingly: Again, reminders and a change of tone is often enough to correct a sensitive child. In the case that they repeatedly break a rule when you’ve given them clear limits and instructions, a mild logical consequence may be useful, but watch for a shame reaction and adjust accordingly. More importantly, of course, is to find out why your child is repeatedly breaking the rule.
  4. Restore connection, security, and self-esteem after disciplining a sensitive child: Positive affirmations, encouraging words, and play time or focused attention will help your child to know they are still loved.
  5. Inform, Plan and Agree on Rules: Nobody likes to be told what to do and not to do or pointed finger at. But sensitive children often find it particular hard to process new rules or routines and therefore might appear to ‘break’ rules or not comply. Sit down in during calm time and talk about what rules you need in order for everyone to feel happy and respected – what routines will be need in order to create a happy and harmonious home.
  6. when your sensitive child is defying come from a place of Listening, understanding and accepting and then deal with the situation: I can hear you are very upset, I understand that you are angry at me right now and that it is OK – now what can we do about it or I will leave you to calm down until you are ready to talk and I will be right here waiting.

Ban all labels in your home: Labels and name-giving are sticky. Once you have labeled a child ‘the naughty one’ or ‘shy one’ or the ‘the sensitive one’ you will find that your child will start livening it up to their label. Rather, allow your child to be who they are supposed to be without labels. Just be!

You may have noticed that these tips are not much different from how we recommend disciplining every child, and that is because while some children are more emotionally and physically sensitive than others, all children have sensitive hearts that deserve to be treated gently.

Mette www.parentingsuccesscoaching.com

Parenting Success

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