Child Care
Sibling Bullying and Abuse: Reasons, Types, Signs and Prevention
Bullying is a major concern that spans age and settings, sparing no space from its reach. Usually, bullying is connected with school and online spaces. We often forget other bullying behaviors like sibling bullying and abuse. In this article, we will explore the causes behind sibling bullying, its diverse forms, red flags to pay attention to, and most importantly, effective strategies for parents to both avert and tackle such conduct.
Common Reasons for Sibling Bullying and Abuse
- Jealousy and competition
- Power imbalance
- Modeling behavior
- Lack of communication skills
- Copying parental behavior
- Seeking attention
- Personal insecurities
- Unresolved conflicts
- External stressors.
Read more: Bullying in School: How to Protect Children and Deal with the Issue
Types of Sibling Bullying and Abuse
Physical Bullying
Physical bullying entails employing force or aggression to intimidate or cause harm to a sibling. This can include hitting, pushing, kicking, or any other physical actions intended to exert control or cause physical pain.
Psychological Bullying
Psychological bullying is a subtle yet damaging form of abuse where one sibling manipulates another's emotions, self-esteem, and perceptions. This can involve tactics like spreading rumors, exclusion, and using psychological pressure to gain control or dominance.
Sexual Bullying
Sexual bullying involves inappropriate and coercive behaviors of a sexual nature between siblings. This can encompass unwanted advances, comments, or actions that create a hostile environment, causing emotional distress and violating personal boundaries.
Read more: How to Raise a Caring, Empathetic and Compassionate Child
Symptoms of Sibling Bullying and Abuse
- Unexplained marks or bruises
- Frequent feelings of unease
- Marks from self-harm or expressing thoughts of self-harm
- Decline in school performance
- Fear or anxiety around a particular sibling
- Rapid fluctuations due to stress
- Refusal to be alone with the sibling
- Low self-esteem
- Running away from home
- Sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns
- Inappropriate sexual behavior.
Read more: Common Sleep Problems in Children: Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Effects of Sibling Bullying and Abuse on Children’s Mental Health
- Diminished confidence and self-worth
- Triggering depression
- Anxiety due to fear
- Social isolation
- Trust issues
- Internalized aggression
- Decline in concentration and grades
- Potential engagement in self-destructive behavior
- Eating disorders
- Effects can extend into adulthood.
Read more: 15 Gift Ideas for a Newborn Baby
How Parents can Protect Children from Sibling Bullying and Abuse
Set Clear Boundaries
Try to establish firm rules that unequivocally condemn any form of aggressive behavior or bullying between siblings. Communicate consequences for crossing these boundaries, reinforcing the importance of respect and kindness.
Positive Reinforcement
Parents should acknowledge and reward instances of respectful interactions and cooperation between siblings. This encourages a culture of kindness and reinforces the benefits of treating each other with respect.
Model Respectful Behavior
It is important to demonstrate kindness, empathy, and respectful communication in parents' interactions with others, including their children. Children often learn by example, and seeing respectful behavior from adults sets a powerful precedent for sibling interactions.
Read more: How physical punishment affects children and alternative ways to discipline them
Individual Attention
Parents should spend quality time with each child. This helps build strong bonds and reduces feelings of rivalry. It also fosters a sense of belonging, decreasing the likelihood of resorting to bullying for attention.
Summer Heatwave: Here’s How to Keep Children Safe
The summer heat can be excruciating, with soaring temperatures that are amplified by the impact of global warming. When the mercury rises, like the adults, children often suffer different health issues. Let’s find out how parents can keep their children safe from heat-related illness.
Heat-related Illness: Heatstroke vs Heat Exhaustion
Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition caused by a malfunction in the body's temperature regulation system. Often it happens due to exposure to high temperatures or intense physical exertion in hot weather.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a milder heat-related illness resulting from prolonged heat exposure and insufficient fluid intake. It occurs when the body becomes dehydrated and loses electrolytes through excessive sweating. Without proper treatment, it can cause heatstroke.
Read more: Class 7 student dies of heat stroke, 5 fall sick in Khulna
Causes of Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion in Children
Immature Thermoregulatory System
Young children have a less developed ability to regulate their body temperature compared to adults. Their sweat glands may not function as efficiently, making it more challenging for them to cool down effectively in hot environments.
Increased Surface Area to Body Weight Ratio
Usually, children have larger surface areas relative to their body weight, which means they can absorb heat from the environment more quickly. This makes them more susceptible to overheating and increases the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Limited Self-awareness
Children may not recognise the signs of overheating or may not communicate their discomfort effectively. They might continue playing or engaging in physical activities despite feeling excessively hot. It increases their risk of getting ill from high heat.
Read more: Heat Stroke Prevention: Best foods, drinks to avoid heat exhaustion
Lack of Hydration Knowledge
Sometimes children are not aware of the importance of staying hydrated and forget to drink water regularly. Under the scorching summer sun, kids may continue playing, neglecting the necessity of fluid intake, which can increase their risk of dehydration.
Dependency on Adults
Children mostly rely on adults to provide them with water, shade, and appropriate clothing choices. If somehow a child is not adequately hydrated, does not take breaks, or does not take protective measures due to the negligence of the caregiver, he/she can be at a higher risk of heatstroke and heat exhaustion.
Participation in Sports or Activities
Children engaged in intense physical activities, or playing outdoors under the sun, are more at the risk of heat exhaustion. It happens especially when proper precautions are not taken. Extended periods of exertion in hot weather without adequate rest and hydration increase the risk significantly.
Read more: Heat Stroke: Symptoms, First Aid, and Prevention
Staying in Enclosed Spaces or Vehicles
Leaving children in enclosed spaces, such as a parked car under the sun, even for a short time, can be harmful for their health. Due to summer heatwaves, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise quickly, posing a severe risk of heatstroke or even death.
Lack of Adjustment
Children who have not acclimatised gradually to hot weather conditions are at higher risk of heat-related illnesses. Sudden exposure to extreme heat overwhelms their bodies. Their organs may struggle to regulate the body-temperature effectively.
Certain Medical Conditions
Children with specific medical conditions, such as asthma, obesity, diabetes, or heart disease, may have a higher risk of heat-related illnesses. These conditions can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature or increase the vulnerability to dehydration.
Read more: Summer 2023: Ceiling Fan Buyer's Guide with Price Range in Bangladesh
It is essential to be careful of these causes and take necessary precautions to protect children from excessive heat exposure. To ensure they remain adequately hydrated in hot environments is essential.
Parents in Irish town unite in banning smartphones for children
In a stunning show of unity, parents in a town in Ireland have banded together to jointly adopt a no-smartphone code for their children until secondary school.
Parents’ associations across the Irish town of Greystones have adopted the no-smartphone code for their children, the Guardian reports.
“If everyone does it across the board, you don’t feel like you’re the odd one out. It makes it so much easier to say no,” said Laura Bourne, one of the parents. “The longer we can preserve their innocence, the better.”
Read more: How to Break Internet Addiction?
Last month, schools and parents in the town of Greystones in Ireland took the initiative out of concern that smartphones were fueling anxiety and exposing children to adult content. It is a rare occasion for an entire town to take action together on such an issue, the Guardian reports.
The voluntary “Greystones Pact” is to withhold smartphones from children – at home, in school, everywhere – until they enter secondary school. Applying it to all children in the area will, it is hoped, curb peer pressure and dampen any resentment.
“Childhoods are getting shorter and shorter,” Rachel Harper, the principal of St Patrick’s School who led the initiative, told the Guardian. Nine-year-olds had started requesting smartphones, she said.
Read more: How to keep your child engaged at home without gadgets
“It was creeping in younger and younger, we could see it happening.”
A town-wide policy reduces the chance of a child having a peer with a smartphone and parents can present the code as a school rule, said Harper. “They love it – now they can blame the schools.”
The initiative has garnered interest from parent associations in Ireland and internationally, prompting Ireland's health minister, Stephen Donnelly, to recommend it as a national policy.
Read more: Effects of Excessive Use of Smartphones
“Ireland can be, and must be, a world leader in ensuring that children and young people are not targeted and are not harmed by their interactions with the digital world,” he wrote in the Irish Times. “We must make it easier for parents to limit the content their children are exposed to.”
The “Greystones Pact” stemmed from children showing anxiety levels only partly attributable to Covid-era adaptation, Harper told the Guardian.
Schools circulated questionnaires among parents, leading to a meeting of community stakeholders and an initiative dubbed “it takes a village”.
Read more: How to entertain an unwell child without screen time
Not all parents will deny their primary schoolchildren a smartphone – the code is voluntary – but enough have signed up to create a sense of critical mass, said Harper. “Hopefully down the line it’ll become the new norm,” she told the Guardian.
How to Raise a Caring, Empathetic and Compassionate Child
According to the Dalai Lama, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.” Care means offering aid or support to individuals experiencing hardship or requiring assistance. Compassion is empathizing and experiencing the feelings of others in order to develop a deep understanding and empathy for their emotions. It includes patience, wisdom, kindness, warmth, perseverance, and determination. Like adults, care and compassion is deeply associated with the overall well-being of children. If you want your child to grow up as a caring, empathetic and compassionate person, try these 10 tips.
10 Tips for Parents to Develop Empathy and Compassion in Kids
Believe in Your Child
Belief plays a significant role in shaping children's behavior. Constant maintenance of a positive attitude towards children is crucial for establishing enduring and harmonious relationships with them in the long run. It requires daily attention and effort to foster a stable and positive connection.
If parents trust in their children’s willingness to help for others' well-being, it will grow confidence in kids. Children are perceptive to these emotions and react accordingly. Sensing positivity they respond positively.
Read more: Helicopter Parenting: Signs, Pros, Cons and How to Change
Practice Empathy and Compassion
Creating an environment where people feel valued encourages children to observe and practice positive attitudes. Parents bear the primary responsibility for their children’s attitude and conduct. Children learn by observing their parents' actions and words, therefore it is essential for parents to actively practice these virtues themselves.
By being loving parents and exemplary role models, parents can contribute to raising their kids as remarkable and accepting individuals. Ultimately, parents' actions and behavior greatly influence their children's development into compassionate and empathetic individuals.
Stay Conscious about the Impact of Media
Children are often influenced by TV shows, internet contents, commercial advertisements, entertainment media and social sharing networks. It is essential for parents to have explicit conversations with their kids about the potential consequences of social media and offensive words which bring regrettable actions.
Parents should be aware of what kinds of TV shows or internet content their children watch. In friendly ways, parents can discuss with their kids about the cons of watching malicious content.
Read more: How to raise happy, confident, strong girls
Limiting the screen time of kids, parents can encourage them to read story books and novels that suit the age-level of their children.
Moreover, teaching children about the limitations of communication through the internet and social media is crucial. Parents need to help the kids understand that without facial expressions and vocal tone, misunderstandings and hurt feelings can easily occur.
Practice Gratitude
Each human on earth has some sort of sorrows, unfulfilled desires, and dissatisfactions. Still, we need to show gratitude to life for what life has given to us. It is essential to lead a positive life.
Parents can share with their kids what they are grateful about for that day. Young children can accept it as a positive example for them to follow. When children face challenges or danger, they will have trust in others and know that they are not alone in this world. Ultimately, they will learn to be grateful for everything and do the same for others.
Read more: How to entertain an unwell child without screen time
Be the Role Model
Parents are the primary educators for their children. So, it is essential to be role models. Parents’ actions are more significant than their words. Children can comprehend the differences between actions and words.
Parents can show care and compassion for others through small gestures. Practicing empathy in real life is important so that children can realize and follow it. For instance, offering a helping hand to a distressed friend can convey kindness in a simple yet powerful way.
Besides these, the parents need to be cautious about their words while criticizing another person. Because, parents are sending messages to kids about how to treat others.
Read more: How to deal with your demanding child?
Helicopter Parenting: Signs, Pros, Cons and How to Change
Parenting is a lifelong process with its own unique challenges and rewards. From the joys of watching a child’s first steps to the difficulties of managing teenage years, parenting is a complex and multifaceted role. It involves a child’s physical, emotional, and social needs, along with guidance that can shape his/her future. Parenting has different dimensions and styles; in this article, we are going to talk about helicopter parenting.
What is Helicopter Parenting?
Helicopter parenting refers to an overly involved and overprotective approach – sometimes to the detriment of the children. The term “helicopter” refers to the way in which these parents “hover over” their children and are constantly monitoring their every move.
Even though parents do this out of love for their children, this type of parenting can have a negative impact on children as it can stifle their independence and hinder their ability to make decisions on their own. Often, they are called “hovering parents” because they constantly watch over their kids and intervene at the first sign of any trouble.
Read More: How to raise happy, confident, strong girls
Origin of the term “Helicopter Parenting”
In 1969, Dr. Haim Ginott first used the term “helicopter parent” in his book “Between Parent & Teenager” where teenagers described their parents hovering over them like a helicopter. Other identical terms are “lawnmower parenting”, “cosseting parent”, or “bulldozer parenting”.
Helicopter parenting is defined by excessive focus on children, and taking too much responsibility for their experiences, successes, or failures. Gradually it turns into being overprotective, over-controlling, and over-perfecting, in a way that exceeds responsible parenting.
Signs of Helicopter Parenting
Helicopter parents mostly micromanage their children’s lives, controlling and monitoring their every move, often taking it to an extremely inappropriate level. They are ready to swoop in to rescue their children at the slightest obstacle.
Read More: 15 Gift Ideas for a Newborn Baby
Here are some clear signs of helicopter parenting in different stages of a child’s life:
Overly involved parents always excessively monitor and correct their children, preventing them from making their own moves, interactions, how to play with specific toys, etc., hindering their ability to learn and explore. It starts when a toddler starts to walk, and falls, and some parents go to extreme lengths to prevent any minor scratches.
In later stages, helicopter parents may complete their children’s homework, choose their friends and activities, and even attend job fairs and job interviews alongside them. They may also advise children during games and talk to coaches after every practice.
In childhood, parents are expected to take care of the household chores for kids. But cleaning a teen’s room, and doing a college student’s laundry is over-parenting and leads to deprivation of learning basic life skills.
Read More: How to deal with your demanding child?
Children learn from their mistakes through trial and error. Helicopter parenting or always showing the right way to do it hinders their growth in tackling problems.
Pros and Cons of Helicopter Parenting
Despite the negative portrayal in popular media, several studies show helicopter parenting has been found to have both positive and negative outcomes. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of over-parenting.
Pros of Helicopter Parenting
Cognitive Skills: Parental involvement is a crucial factor in a student's intellectual, academic, and emotional development. It leads to improved attitudes towards school, better homework habits, social behavior, and enhanced academic achievement.
Life Skills:
Research suggests that helicopter parenting can have positive impacts on student development in areas like decision-making, physical and mental health, and career development.
Read More: How physical punishment affects children and alternative ways to discipline them
Psychological Adjustment:
Studies say children of helicopter parents who receive support and proper guidance have better psychological adjustment and life satisfaction than others.
Proper Guidance:
Children of helicopter parents tend to be punctual, well-prepared, and receive significant support and guidance in their daily lives. They work tirelessly to address any problem their child may encounter and actively participate in school activities and groups.
Effective Communication:
Effective communication is the most important thing in a parent-children relationship. Helicopter parents and their teens are most likely to have friendly and clear communication about their whereabouts.
Read More: Common Sleep Problems in Children: Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Cons of Helicopter Parenting
Though parental involvement in their children’s education has been acknowledged to be beneficial, overprotective parenting can result in negative outcomes on their mental health.
Psychological Issues:
According to several studies, children with too involved parents in their children’s education at inappropriate developmental levels often develop psychological issues like anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
Narcissistic Mindset:
Helicopter parenting is linked with higher levels of narcissism and entitlement in adult children.
Read More: Motivating Kids to Study, Do Homework, Get Good Grades: Know Secret Ways
Problem-solving Skills:
Children need to acquire problem-solving skills, but helicopter parenting can hinder this process.
Dependency on Parents:
Helicopter parenting can make children overly dependent on their parents, preventing their ability to learn essential life skills.
No Self-advocacy:
Helicopter parenting prevents children from developing self-advocacy skills that are crucial for success in school and work.
Read More: Teaching Young Kids Household Chores: 10 Easy Steps
Low Self-esteem:
Helicopter parenting makes children feel inadequate and lead to self-esteem issues. It causes difficulties with problem-solving, coping, decision-making, social interaction, responsibility, and adaptive functioning.
Absence of Natural Consequences:
Children face natural consequences in life as an integral part of growing up. Helicopter parents tend to micromanage their children's activities to prevent them from experiencing any negative outcomes.
Parent-Child Mutual Relationship:
Helicopter parenting can strain the parent-child relationship because of constant nagging and interference.
Read More: Stranger Danger: How to teach children safety rules for unknown, unsafe people
Though in some cases, it brings children and parents closer together when children appreciate the push to succeed and feel cared for by their parents. Still, it's best to avoid helicopter parenting.
How to Change
Helicopter parenting, or being overly involved in a child's life, can hinder their acquisition of crucial life skills. Parents must allow their children to fail, struggle, to be disappointed, and let them do their own tasks. Sometimes taking a step backward from helping them can be the actual help. It will make the child more resilient and boost self-confidence.
Although overprotectiveness comes from the good intention of guiding them, often it ends with controlling the children. To prevent this, parents must acknowledge their hovering tendency, and encourage their children to explore and grow. And if necessary, consulting a professional can be helpful.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Different strategies work better for individual families and children. Helicopter parenting hinders children’s chance of development.
Read More: Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Raising children with guidance and support can teach them valuable life skills and independence. The desire to raise “perfect children” or compare them to others can lead to over-involvement, which may cause depression and low self-esteem in children. Parents should be aware of the signs of helicopter parenting and seek help if needed.
11 Home Remedies for Cough in Kids
When a child is coughing constantly, it is a thing of concern for the parents. Usually, a child's cough is nothing to worry about as it can be caused by a common cold that happens by changes in seasons and weather. However, try to avoid a cough suppressant for your kids without consulting a doctor, as it is not safe for them. Instead, you can try some safe, natural home remedies for cough for children. These tips can help a sick child feel relaxed.
11 Ways to Treat Your Kid’s Cough Naturally
Honey
According to research honey is better than medicine for relieving coughs. Honey also helps a sick kid sleep better. However, honey is safe and better for children aged 1 and older. Kids also love to take honey as it tastes good. Dark honey like buckwheat works best because it's higher in antioxidants.
But if it becomes difficult to find buckwheat honey, you can take any natural honey. Natural honey is also great for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can go a long way in soothing a sore throat.
Remember, you need to give ½ teaspoon to children who are ages 1 to 5 years and 1 teaspoon to kids ages 6 to 11. If your child won't love to take honey directly, you can add it to warm water, herbal tea, or warm milk. But make sure you avoid this remedy for kids under 1.
Read More: Motivating Kids to Study, Do Homework, Get Good Grades: Know Secret Ways
Chicken Noodle Soup
It is an old folk remedy: Studies have shown that chicken soup has anti-inflammatory elements and its warm temperature can soothe sore throats. Besides, it acts as a vaporizer and helps to release mucus in the nasal passages which ultimately can relieve a stuffy nose.
You will get the magic in the soup that comes from the perfect balance of electrolytes, which help keep your kids hydrated. Moreover, the protein and carbohydrates available in chicken soup are a perfect meal for anyone who feels icky. Your lovely kids can feel like a warm hug with a bowl of chicken soup.
Stay Hydrated
Make sure the kid drinks enough water to help prevent dehydration.
Warm liquids is an excellent cough remedy for toddler because they thin out mucus and makes it easier to cough up. Besides, liquids pacify a raw throat and keep your little one hydrated and happy.
Read More: Teaching Young Kids Household Chores: 10 Easy Steps
Researchers at the Common Cold Center at Cardiff University have shown that hot drinks are the most effective at soothing cold and flu symptoms.
Hot drinks may relieve symptoms including runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chills, and fatigue. On the contrary, a warm or room temperature drink had fewer benefits they can relieve a runny nose, coughing, and a sore throat temporarily.
However, cold drinks are also helpful because they can numb a sore throat while helping to hydrate at the same time. But avoid drinking ice-cold juice as they are highly acidic the acidity increase discomfort in the throat.
Cool-mist humidifier
You can keep a cool-mist humidifier in your kid’s room to help unfasten chest and nasal congestion. It is a great remedy for nighttime coughing. USA’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a cool air humidifier is used unitedly with other treatments like rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and consuming honey.
Read More: Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability
When other properties won't cure the cause, a humidifier will surely help your little one feel a little better, especially at night when coughing may be worse.
Salt water gargle
One of the most natural and simplest kid’s cough remedies is salt water gargle. Just mix a half teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of water, then give your child to gargle the solution. It eases the throat irritation that often comes with coughing. But this should only be given to older kids.
Salt water helps the tissue in the upper respiratory tract tend to become inflamed from excess mucus and fluids, causing coughing and soreness.
How to entertain an unwell child without screen time
Every parent knows that kids might get sick occasionally. When a kid gets ill with the flu, pains, injuries, or viral diseases, s/he may miss going to school or playing outdoors with playmates. If the illness continues for several days, it can make the child unhappy, sad and bored. However, not many parents think about how to keep an unwell child cheerful.
Some parents tend to keep ill children busy with gadgets. During ailment, electric gadgets, like phones, tablets, or TVs can be more harmful to children. Now, except for allowing gadgets what can parents do to entertain an ill child at home? Here are some tips.
10 best tips to entertain an ailing child without screen time
New Toy
Your child could have many toys at any time during their growing time. But, a new toy can bring it joy, especially during sickness. Pick a toy that your kind would love the most to possess. It will make the child happy and give it a feeling of appreciation, which can aid in the recovery process. Besides, the small gift will rekindle your kid’s love for you.
Read Best foods for expecting mothers
Crafts
Seek out various options to entertain your unwell child. You can engage the kid in various crafts such as drawing origami, skill with clay, and creating crafts to decorate our rooms. It is a good idea to set up a table containing recycled paper, where you and your kid can draw or create origami together.
Such activities will not only help the child stay at home without getting bored; but also develop its imagination power. Thus, your kid can have a lot of fun. It will help the kid to overcome illnesses in a much more relaxing manner.
Indoor Games
When your child is sick, it is best to assist them in resting. When they feel bored staying at home for days due to illness, you can play different low-stress, indoor games with them. The types of games can vary depending on the age of your child.
Read How to deal with your demanding child?
If your child is below 5, you can play puzzle games with them or engage them in imaginary cooking games with their playing instruments. Children above 5 may like to play ludo or carom and you can accompany them.
Besides puzzles, baby cooking games, ludo, or carom, you can play traditional board or table games with your sick child to give him/her companionship and entertainment. You can also create board or table games to have a fun time.
These indoor games can provide an abundance of entertainment for a child who is too ill to go outside for playing with friends. Parents and other family members can also join the ailing child and play games together to enjoy a leisurely afternoon of fun at home.
Read Top brain foods for studying and exams
Reading
When a child is sick, s/he may feel lonely or helpless. To make the kid happy you can engage him/her in a creative task like reading. If your child is unable to read, you can read for him or her. When your child can read, you can lend him/her a book and inspire him/her to read.
Reading books helps children to spark their imagination and give the parents a chance to spend quality time with them in a fun way. You can pick colorful story books, a rhyme, or a novel so that your child feels an attraction to read or listen to stories from you. If you enjoy reading, they will be happy and relaxed. However, make sure you choose the books that they would love to read or hear from you.
Practice Language
If your child is not much tired and getting better, you can play with them with language. For instance, you can give your school-goer kid a list of phrases and ask them to draw the definition of each word.
Read How physical punishment affects children and alternative ways to discipline them
You can ask your under-five kid to sing his/her favorite songs to tell the names of different body parts or to express their favorite foods in English or other different languages. By engaging in these activities, your kids will have a great time without gadgets while staying at home.
How to deal with your demanding child?
Children that are constantly needing attention can hardly accept "no" for an answer. If your kid is constantly demanding something in a rude way, don’t get stressed out! In the current world, numerous parents are experiencing such issues. Here are 11 effective and respectful strategies for dealing with demanding children.
11 tips to deal with your demanding child
Understand their needs
Sometimes kids ask for basic things in rude ways. Try to understand what they want. For instance, 'Get me food!' means 'I am hungry; "Go away" means "I need space; "Pick me up" could refer to 'I require a hug or 'I'm not feeling safe.
When a kid is demanding something from you, it is communicating a need. Now, what does the kid need you to do? The easiest thing to do is to identify the kid's needs and simply say you heard it.
Read How physical punishment affects children and alternative ways to discipline them
Find the reason for anger
Each child is not similar. Like adults, children have different traits and personalities.
The anger of children is likely caused by a different emotion they're unable to communicate. Some kids may get angry about basic needs like food; while some kids may always get restless for new toys in shopping malls. Therefore it's essential to allow your children space to express their feelings.
Take a positive attitude
When your child is over-demanding, you may think that kid is rude or insolent. However, the way you perceive children determines how they can think of themselves.
Read How to comfortably travel with babies
If you respond to the child with an angry voice and tag the kid’s behaviour as ‘rude’. The kid may bear the same perception about himself or herself, and continue to behave in ways that conform to this judgment. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Therefore, try to stay calm and stay positive in response to a child that has shouted for food or a new toy, or other things. Try responding by saying something such as, "You sound very frustrated about something; what can I do to help?" By responding to the kid’s needs in a polite way, you can let it know that you understand its demand.
Don't take it personally
Your unconditional love for your child is unwavering. But still, the kid may act like crazy sometimes! Don’t take such insolence personally. It could feel like it, but these ill-manners or irrational demands aren't about you or indicate how you parent your children. They are just a challenge at times!
Read Excessive Crying in Infants: Possible Reasons, Tips of Soothing
They're likely feeling overwhelmed and just beginning to learn how to communicate. Relax before responding to your child; remember that your child can influence their future decisions.
Help them resolve their needs
Sometimes your kids require or want you to take care of things for them; however, most of the time, they need to know more before they are sure of what to do. They're capable and confident and awed by their ability to make decisions themselves. It's your responsibility to help them do this. Honestly, it's not practical, useful, or fun for you to take on everything for them.
After acknowledging their need, should they be capable of helping themselves, a brief, nonjudgmental, and not accusatory statement could assist them in deciding the next steps.
Read Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain: Common symptoms, reasons, solutions
Be kind and talk to them with an open mind
Sometimes, you have tried all of the above and still hear a resounding demand. It could be that you are wrong regarding the need that is at the root that your children really need is some compassion before they're at a point where they can discern what they're looking for.
Be there for the child, be supportive of them, discuss the issue, and solve it when everyone is relaxed and capable. Achieving a request is not a sign of giving in, but it does mean that you're always there for your child when they are most difficult.
Define what constitutes a demanding behavior
Spend the time to sit with your child and discuss the distinction between polite, acceptable behavior and demanding behavior, which won't help them get anywhere. This makes it much easier to discuss their shady actions later. However, don't do it during a tiff, and it's a great discussion to have when both of you are in a relaxed state!
Read Learning Disabilities in Children: Types, symptoms, ways to help
Model good behavior
Now, how to teach your kids to express themselves and communicate their desires in a bit more polite way? The answer is you have to behave politely first before you expect your kid to be well-mannered.
Instead of giving them instructions on what to do, make it sound like an appeal: "Can you please wash your hands before dinner" instead of "Go wash your hands".
Remember, your kid is always following you! So, when you're with others or in public, demonstrate the manner of conduct you'd like your children to emulate. If you make a mistake and get angry with your kids or other people and then you're not able to control it, be sure to assure them of your apology and also explain the mistake was not yours.
Read Motivating Kids to Study, Do Homework, Get Good Grades: Know Secret Ways
Salute their manner of conduct
If your child is correctly asking for things or acts positively, you must be sure to acknowledge and praise the child for their efforts. You can give them small gifts or incentives like ice cream or their favorite food.
Children learn best by reiterating good behavior rather than being admonished for bad behavior.
Encourage them to fulfill extra needs with their own saving
In the current world, lucrative promotions, branding, and advertising impress adults. Kids become prey to these crazy advertisements on TVs, and in shopping malls. Unlike adults, kids have less patience and judgment power. Sometimes, your kid might be relentlessly demanding a new toy, doll, or shirt.
Read Basic Communication Skills Needed in Business, Career, Relationships
So, don’t be upset about your kid’s excessive demands; rather you can set a toy budget or shopping budget for your child.
Try to make them understand the value of money and encourage them to make savings. So that they can buy desired things with their saved money.
Take good care of yourself
It has never been easy to be a parent. Being a parent and managing the household can be exhausting and stress-inducing. Make sure that you're looking at yourself too.
Read Why Self Care of Moms is Important: Tips for busy mothers
A good night's sleep, eating well, and taking time to relax with your parents are vital to your well-being. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to handle your children's demands without becoming frustrated or losing your temper.
Bottom Line
So far, we have discussed how to deal with a demanding child. Demands are not an emergency; it's not something to be punished for. It's an appeal for assistance, an opportunity for connecting, a child in school, and a need to be acknowledged. Remember that a demanding child provides the parent with the opportunity to impart knowledge. Parents have the chance to address the issue!
Many parents treat their children the way they would like to be treated by them. This is extremely strong. If you keep showing affection and a positive attitude, they will begin to learn what it feels and looks like to be treated with kindness. Keep the faith, and then try again.
Read Common Sleep Problems in Children: Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Excessive Crying in Infants: Possible Reasons, Tips of Soothing
Normally, infants cry for about one to three hours or sometimes 4 hours a day. Generally, an infant cries when it is hungry, thirsty, tired, lonely, or in pain. The extent of crying varies from child to child. However, if a baby cries too often, there might be a health problem that needs your attention. Continue scrolling to know the most common reasons for your baby's cry and proven tips to soothe it.
10 Possible Reasons Why Babies Cry
When a baby cries, chances are they are trying to tell you they are in need of something. Here, we have identified 10 possible reasons why babies cry:
Hunger
Who doesn’t get cranky when they’re hungry? Babies also can go from zero to screaming pretty quickly if they haven’t eaten for a while. When your baby is hungry, you recognize the “feed me” cry that is rhythmic, repetitive and usually short and low-pitched.
Read Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain: Common symptoms, reasons, solutions
Experts say a hungry baby’s cries also include some sound which stems from the baby’s tongue reflexively hitting the roof of the mouth in the baby’s search for milk.
Don’t maintain clock time to feed the baby, just respond to early signs they’re ready for a nosh: lip-smacking, sucking on their hands or rooting.
Illness
Nobody likes to be sick and miserable. Your baby also. Your little one with illness is crying more often than usual. Most parents know what a baby’s usual cry sounds like, so if the baby won’t stop crying or is crying harder and longer than usual, it could be a sign of illness.
Read Why Self Care of Moms is Important: Tips for busy mothers
Colic
According to AAP Colic is a condition where an infant cries more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, and for more than three weeks in a row.
Babies with colic cry excessively and most often it becomes difficult to console them. Some doctors consider colic as a kind of stomach cramp as the crying sounds miserable and distressed, and stops for a moment or two, then starts up again.
However, you need not worry as colic is usually pretty short-lived. Moreover, colicky babies aren’t necessarily uncomfortable or in pain.
Read Common Sleep Problems in Children: Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Sleepiness
You fall asleep as soon as you hit the mattress as an exhausted parent, but the same isn’t true for your baby. Sleep, just like anything else, is a learned skill that cannot be attained by babies easily. Newborns don’t have an established sleeping time until around 4 months.
Besides, a crying baby is mostly incapable of self-soothing. So you have to help your baby to establish these things. To prevent the baby from crying at night and soothe them to sleep, a little trial and error is likely in order to see what calms your tired baby best.
Diaper
Some babies can stay in a wet or dirty diaper for hours. With a dirty diaper, they’re uncomfortable for more than a second. When your baby is feeling uneasy and crying just open up the diaper and do a quick check or change immediately if necessary.
Read Motivating Kids to Study, Do Homework, Get Good Grades: Know Secret Ways
Make sure you use a branded diaper that comes with a wetness indicator-change colour when the diaper is wet. If you use a wetness indicator diaper, you don’t have to undress your child every time you need to investigate whether that baby's crying is due to diaper discomfort.
Tummy troubles
A baby is also crying by wriggling, arching their back or pumping their legs. These are indicative signs of baby gas according to Preeti Parikh who is a paediatrician at Pediatrics of New York in New York City.
If you experience these issues, hold the baby on the left side or on their stomach to help with digestion. If the baby is gassy, bicycle their legs and push them up to the chest to help relieve the gas.
Read How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy
Burp
If you cry right after feeding, it is a sign they need to be burped. Good burping may be in order. You can burp your baby after feeding, but many babies may need to be burped after sucking a pacifier, having hiccups or crying.
All these activities are done to swallow air. So, when you have a perplexing crying baby, it doesn’t hurt to give them a pat on the back. You can follow several techniques available to burp a baby, so find one that works for you.
Teething
Naturally, babies start teething at the age of 4 months old. The pain of teething makes the baby cry. You may see other signs of teething; excessive drooling and gnawing on anything within reach.
Read Eating Disorders in Children, Adolescents, Adults: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Overstimulation
You get tangible overload now and again. It is the same for your baby when it gets passed around by aunts and uncles at a family party. Your little one is still getting used to all that tumult so it might not take much to get them upset.
Try to take your crying baby home and relax when they seem overstimulated. Go for a walk in the open quiet place to get some fresh air.
Attention
Generally, babies don’t like the “set it and forget it” mentality. You can give a playmat or put your baby in a safe baby swing or bouncer. But your baby is the happiest and quiet when it is with you.
Read Learning Disabilities in Children: Types, symptoms, ways to help
Most often babies cry because of loneliness. They need the accompaniment of someone especially yours as they go through rapid development. You need to attend to your young babies empathically and quickly so that their systems learn to be calm instead of agitated or aggravated.
How to Soothe a Crying Baby
The best way to soothe a crying baby is to first find out why the baby is crying so that you can quickly address their needs. Without knowing what’s causing those tears, you may try a bunch of different calming techniques, but you cannot solve the real problem.
To soothe your crying baby you can try the “Five S’s”—general soothing techniques;
Read Teaching Young Kids Household Chores: 10 Easy Steps
Swaddle
Babies love to be swaddled as it provides them with a sense of security and reminds them of their days in the womb. Wrap them in a snug swaddle with the baby’s arms at their side.
Stomach position
Hold the baby on their tummy over your arm. If you do this, it will be comfortable for the baby and can help resolve gas and other tummy issues.
Besides, you can use unscented massage oils or cream suitable and safe for babies to gently rub your baby’s back or tummy in a clockwise direction. This messaging can help with her digestion, and your touch soothes and comforts her.
Read Child Drowning Prevention: Water safety tips to save your kid from drowning
If you can do this messaging regularly, it may help your baby to cry and fuss less. Make sure you message when your baby is settled and alert. Stop immediately if she cries during the massage.
Shush
Babies could hear the beat of your heart when it was in your womb. So, make a gentle shushing sound directly into the baby’s ear, which is similar to the noises they heard in the womb.
The sounds may be the repetitive noise of a vacuum cleaner, washing machine or hairdryer. These gentle noises may help to soothe your baby to sleep. Besides, you can buy a toy that plays a range of sounds, from ocean waves to raindrops.
Read Child Proof Kitchen: How to Keep Your Kitchen Safe for Kids
Swing
Swinging or gently jiggling babies is effective to get them calm down but make sure to always take care to support the baby’s head and neck.
Most babies love to be gently swung. They include:
-in your arms, while you walk around
-in a rocking chair
-in a baby swing
Besides, taking her for a ride in your car or for a walk in her pushchair.
Read Stranger Danger: How to teach children safety rules for unknown, unsafe people
Suck
Karp says, most fussy babies greatly relax when they suck on something. Try a pacifier once the baby starts to calm down a bit.
Some babies love to suck. As a breastfeeding mom, you could let your baby suckle your breast for comfort or to soothe it. If not, let her suck on your clean finger.
Moreover, if you're breastfeeding, you may change the way your baby latches to help her to feed calmly, without crying or fussing.
Read Newborn Baby, Infant Care Tips during Summer
Other Ways
Besides the above-mentioned ways, you can try the following tricks to calm down your crying baby:
-Try a soothing bath to calm down. But make sure your baby takes it easy as most babies don't love bathing.
-In the case of older babies, they can use a bit of cloth or a blanket as a comforter.
-Hold your baby in your lag so they're close to you. Move gently, talk to them and sing.
-Let them listen to or look at something like music on the radio, a CD, a rattle, or a mobile above the cot.
-Ask your health visitor for advice if you feel.
Read Habit of Saving: How to teach your child good saving habit
Bottom Line
The crying of your baby may be just a phase. It is literally common and it will pass. Your baby will learn new ways of communicating her needs to you. And then, the excessive crying will stop. However, before that, you should try to understand why your baby is crying too much. You can try the above-mentioned tips to soothe a crying infant. But never shake your baby as shaking their head violently can cause brain damage. Consult immediately with your doctor if you feel something serious about your baby.
Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain: Common symptoms, reasons, solutions
Breastfeeding is the most natural and valuable thing a mother can do for her baby. It provides all the nutrition and antibodies that a newborn needs for healthy growth and development. A baby is supposed to gain weight naturally if it is properly breastfed by the mother. However, in many cases, the breastfed infants gain weight more slowly than they should. We are here with possible reasons for breastfed babies' slow weight gain with ultimate solutions.
Symptoms of Poor Weight Gain in Babies
The most common symptoms of slow weight gain are as follows:The most apparent symptoms of slow weight gain are size, weight and height of their head. When your child is not getting enough calories, you may notice the following symptoms:-lost interest in the things around them-extreme sleepiness-frequent crying and fussiness-missed physical milestones like not rolling over, sitting up or walking at the same time as other kids their age.
Read Why Self Care of Moms is Important: Tips for busy mothers
Typical Weight Gain for Breastfed Babies
Naturally, babies grow at their own pace, but baby weight gain generally follows a fairly consistent pattern. Usually breastfed newborns can lose up to 10% of their birth weight in the first five days of life. Next 10 days to two weeks old, they should regain the weight they lost. For the next three months, breastfed babies gain about an ounce a day.
10 Common Reasons for Breastfed Infant’s Slow Weight Gain
The possible reasons are as follows for the slow weight gain of your breastfed infant:
Poor Latch
A good latch allows your child to take breast milk from your breast without getting tired and frustrated. When your baby is not latching on correctly or is latching on to just your nipple, they won't be able to remove breast milk very well. Remember, both you and your baby can contribute to a successful latch. Ensure your baby is latching on deeply.
To breastfeed well, make sure the lower part of your areola must be in your baby’s mouth. You can contact a lactation consultant to rule out any issues, such as a tongue tie or lip tie if you’re struggling to get a good latch.
Read Common Sleep Problems in Children: Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Infrequent Breastfeeding
Breastfeed your newborn at least every two to four hours for the first six to eight weeks. If they want to breastfeed more, put them back to the breast. Frequent breastfeeding helps your baby grow quickly and gain weight naturally.
Short Nursing Sessions
Newborns should breastfeed for about eight to ten minutes on each side. But if your baby does not do so, you need to monitor this issue. Without proper nursing, your breastfed baby loses weight.
Pain or Discomfort
If your baby feels discomfort due to any birth injury or infection, they may not breastfeed well, and therefore may be gaining weight slowly.
Read Motivating Kids to Study, Do Homework, Get Good Grades: Know Secret Ways
Delayed Breast Milk Supply
Some mothers experience a delay in the onset of breast milk production whereas others have chronic low milk supply. If you experience any of these problems, your child does not get the amount of milk they need when breastfeeding. However, these can be temporary problems.
Being Born Prematurely
When a baby is born before 37 weeks, it may not have the necessary strength or energy to breastfeed as much as time to get all the breast milk they need. They are also sleepy and have medical issues which can make breastfeeding difficult for them. When time goes on like this-they cannot take as much breast milk as they require, and they cannot gain weight.
Not Taking Enough Calories
Healthy and full-term babies typically breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours. But as your newborn can be sleepy, it cannot breastfeed frequently. So, your baby does not get the required calories. Due to a lack of calories, your baby may not gain weight.
Read How to Stay Physically Active during Pregnancy
Paediatricians suggest you start solids after 6 months of your baby. However, if your baby does not take breast milk along with solid foods, it does not get the majority of its calories.
Not Absorbing the Calories
Some babies may take in enough calories — but not absorb them. They don’t absorb calories because of Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). Infants with reflux most often vomit after feedings and lose some of the milk from feeding. Besides, the acid from the reflux can irritate their throat and oesophagus and make it painful to breastfeed.
Besides, some babies have a food allergy. If your baby has a food allergy, it doesn’t like to take breastmilk and if they cannot absorb the calories. So, they cannot gain weight.
Read Eating Disorders in Children, Adolescents, Adults: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Ways to Help
Newborns with jaundice become very sleepy and not interested in breastfeeding. They may not gain weight or they may even lose weight, especially if they have diarrhoea or are vomiting.
They’re Burning Too Many Calories
Some babies burn calories because of their frequent movement. Babies with breathing difficulties need more calories as they need to make up for the extra effort to promote tissue growth. A study has shown that babies with some heart diseases need forty per cent more energy
Neurological Issues
Neurological problems like Down syndrome can hinder a baby's ability to latch and nurse properly and ultimately talk breastmilk correctly.
Read Learning Disabilities in Children: Types, symptoms, ways to help
Managing Poor Weight Gain Issue of the Breastfed Babies
If you are concerned about your child's weight gain, it is essential to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The doctor will examine and suggest strategies that may work best for you and your child. Some preventive measures are as follows:
Check Your Child’s Latch
Check your baby is latching on to your breasts properly. Consult your paediatrician or a local breastfeeding support group if you feel your baby does not latch correctly.
Breastfeed Often
Nurse your baby every two to three hours and let it breastfeed frequently. Breastfed it whenever they show signs of hunger. Breast milk is easily digested, so breastfed babies need to eat more.
Read Teaching Young Kids Household Chores: 10 Easy Steps
Avoid Pacifiers
If your baby is habituated to a pacifier, it won't get much breast milk. A pacifier makes your baby tired so they may not like when they get to the breast. So, avoid pacifiers to make your baby gain weight by nursing breastmilk.
Keep Your Baby Awake
Keep your baby actively breastfeeding. Let your sleepy newborns awake by tickling their feet, changing their diapers, burping them, or using the switch nursing technique.
Address Supply Issues
If there is a problem with your breast milk supply, take steps to increase your milk production. Take milk-boosting foods to your meals. Besides, you can take breastfeeding herbs or teas.
Consider Supplementing
Give your baby a supplement if your doctor suggests additional feedings. You can also try hindmilk which is higher in fat and calories and help your baby gain more weight.
Read Dyslexia: How to help kids with this learning disability
Monitoring their growth curve
Your paediatrician will use growth charts that are standard. If you feel your baby's growth curve is okay, don't worry.
Monitoring their calorie intake
Make sure your baby takes the required calories they need.
Bottom Line
Poor Weight gain of Breastfed infants is a common problem nowadays. Naturally, every baby has its own growth curve. If your baby shows the symptoms of slow weight gain, try to find the reasons. You can follow the above-mentioned steps to assure that the baby is breastfed in a proper way and getting enough calories to continue its natural growth. Consult your healthcare provider to maintain their suggestions. Hopefully, you will get a positive result within a short time.
Read How to Keep Kids Well During Flu Season