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The Baby Child Website A Website For The Important Little People In Our Lives |
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A Parent's Guide To Medicine Safety Home Schooling Your Child Guide
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1 - How should I deal with my child being a bully? It is important to realize that nearly one in ten children are victimized by bullies and that bullying is a very serious problem that should not be taken lightly. Start by determining how your child is bullying others. The most common type of bullying is physical; punching, pushing, kicking, etc. However, a child may be teasing other children, calling them names or otherwise verbally assaulting them. Once you have determined the type of bullying, you need to make it completely clear to your child that the behavior is unacceptable. Then, you need to find out the reason that your child has become a bully. Talking to your child may lead to him or her giving you an explanation, however in many cases it is a good idea to involve a professional counselor who is specially trained to work with bullying children. 2 - What should I do when another child bully’s mine? So many parents tell their children to ignore bullies, and to look the other way rather than react. However, it is never advisable to let bullying go, because it will never just “go away”. In some cases, it may not even be apparent to you that your child is being bullied because bullied children are often afraid to tell an adult what is happening. When you suspect that bullying is an issue, talk to your child and school officials. Getting the teachers and school administrators involved will make them aware of the problem and you can work together to find a solution. 3 - How can I talk openly with my child about death? The first thing to remember is that death is a part of life, and that everyone will experience loss and grief at some time. Generally, children who are of school age will have an understanding that death is permanent, however pre-schoolers and younger children may not quite get that their loved one will never come back. You must always be honest and open when discussing death, and more than anything else you need to make sure that your child understands that he or she should and can talk to you or another trusted adult about their feelings at any time. 4 - How do I tell my child that someone has died? The most important rule of thumb is to BE HONEST. Never tell your child that their loved one is sleeping – or they will expect him or her to wake up. And, never tell your child that their loved one is “taking a trip or journey” because they will await a return. Unless you are honest and open, there is most likely going to be a delay between your child learning about the death and the onset of the grieving process. 5 - What can I do to help my young child face the fear of death? It’s not uncommon for young children to be frightened by death because they do not understand the process. When you are open and honest, it should help to alleviate some of this fear. When explaining death, tell your child that the deceased was so old that their body stopped working, or that they were sick or injured and their body stopped working. Spare them the details, because they won’t understand and the details can be frightening to them. Once the reality sets in, it is very likely that your child will ask you if you are going to die too. A good way to answer is to explain that everyone will die eventually, but that most of the time people do not die until they are very old. 6 - How am I best to handle the death of my child’s pet? Chances are that if you have had your pet for some time, your child is very attached to the animal. Remember that just because your pet is not a person, it is still very possible for your child to have developed a strong attachment. When the pet dies, your child is just as likely to suffer from grief as they would be if a loved one had died. Be open and honest with your child – regardless of his or her age. 7 - How can I deal with a child that is shorter than other kids his age? Children all grow at different rates and there always seems to be that one child who is behind the others. If your child comes from a family of normal height, it is most likely just a matter of delayed growth so rest assured that he will catch up eventually. If there are existing medical problems, or hormonal deficiencies, it is possible that your child will remain short. You should talk to your pediatrician to have tests done if you have concerns about your child’s size. 8 - What should I do to stop my child’s lying? Young children do not know the difference between right and wrong and fantasy and reality. So, why would you expect them to know the difference between the truth and a lie? The best way to handle lying is to start at a very young age, impressing upon your child that the most important rule is that they always tell you the truth. You should explain to your child the reasons why lying is a bad behavior – and never let your child go unpunished when you catch them in a lie. It is important to be consistent, and to let your child know that lying is NEVER acceptable. And be sure to reinforce this by setting a good example. You can’t expect your child to listen to you if you’re caught in a lie! 9 - How do I know when it is ok to leave my child alone? A general rule of thumb is to not leave your children home alone until they are at least eleven years old. However, some children are perfectly fine for a short time period at ten, and there are some teens that still require constant supervision and cannot be left alone. The best way to determine whether or not your child is ready to be left alone is to talk to your child to see if he or she knows what to do when faced with different situations. Does your child realize that he or she should never open the door when you are not home? Would they know what to do in the case of an emergency? If you are confident, begin by leaving your child for only a few minutes while you run to the corner store, or visit a neighbor. After several short periods, you can leave your child for an hour or so to see how he or she does on their own. Only when you feel confident should you leave your child alone for extended periods of time.
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