How Child Behavior Problems Are Created by Economic Pressures
Can the economic downturn effect your child's behavior? Can your child's behavior problems get worse because you are worrying about your financial situation? Can financial problems even create behavior problems? Absolutely.
So what's the connection? The real reason why this happens is simply stress.
Economic problems create massive amounts of stress.
Parents are stressed.
Stressed parents create stressed kids.
Stress shows up in kids as behavior problems.
But it can also show up as language problems, focus problems and learning problems, too.
According to a research study released to the American Association For The Advancement of Science in Feb.
2008 on families who were under stress brought on by poverty, the underlying cause of the children's problems was this toxic stress at home.
Behavior problems and learning problems then aren't a result of financial crisis, exactly.
Instead, they are a result of the stress parents are under and how they related to their children due to that stress.
Stressed parents yell and snap at their kids more, harming their self-esteem.
These parents are often preoccupied with their own worries and aren't able to give their children the attention and guidance that they need.
So problems in the economy can easily translate to child behavior problems in your home.
So the big question is: Can you "recession-proof' your child and your family? Again, the answer is absolutely.
The researchers found the single most important factor in helping families under toxic stress was to make sure these parents had good parenting skills.
They gave these parents an 8 week class on how to better communicate with their kids.
Specifically, the parents learned how to communicate with kids effectively and reduce power struggles.
What they found was that the children's behavior, IQ and ability to learn was turned around by changing how the parents related to them at home.
In addition, this report again supports a parenting style that understands kids can't learn the "right behavior " when they are under stress.
This was exactly my experience.
My family was under a lot of stress and my child began hitting, kicking an biting me, other kids and babies.
And because of the stress I was under, I was yelling at her.
Things just spiraled downward from there.
The bottom line was my yelling created more and more aggression and other behavior problems in my child.
And the problem was solved in a similar way...
I got a parenting mentor, who taught me exactly what was going on and HOW to turn it around and do things differently.
I went out and learned the parenting and communication skills and tools I needed.
The yelling and behavior problems have turned into giggles, hugs and kisses.
The power struggles have disappeared.
I now know exactly what to do to set limits and turn around behavior problems without yelling, threatening or punishing.
So what can you do right now to help your child and yourself?
What are some of the ways you've reduced your stress in the past that have worked? Who are your most supportive friends and family members or professionals you've worked with? Where could you get better parent communication skills? Now, imagine how much you'll enjoy hearing your child giggle as you play together.
So what's the connection? The real reason why this happens is simply stress.
Economic problems create massive amounts of stress.
Parents are stressed.
Stressed parents create stressed kids.
Stress shows up in kids as behavior problems.
But it can also show up as language problems, focus problems and learning problems, too.
According to a research study released to the American Association For The Advancement of Science in Feb.
2008 on families who were under stress brought on by poverty, the underlying cause of the children's problems was this toxic stress at home.
Behavior problems and learning problems then aren't a result of financial crisis, exactly.
Instead, they are a result of the stress parents are under and how they related to their children due to that stress.
Stressed parents yell and snap at their kids more, harming their self-esteem.
These parents are often preoccupied with their own worries and aren't able to give their children the attention and guidance that they need.
So problems in the economy can easily translate to child behavior problems in your home.
So the big question is: Can you "recession-proof' your child and your family? Again, the answer is absolutely.
The researchers found the single most important factor in helping families under toxic stress was to make sure these parents had good parenting skills.
They gave these parents an 8 week class on how to better communicate with their kids.
Specifically, the parents learned how to communicate with kids effectively and reduce power struggles.
What they found was that the children's behavior, IQ and ability to learn was turned around by changing how the parents related to them at home.
In addition, this report again supports a parenting style that understands kids can't learn the "right behavior " when they are under stress.
This was exactly my experience.
My family was under a lot of stress and my child began hitting, kicking an biting me, other kids and babies.
And because of the stress I was under, I was yelling at her.
Things just spiraled downward from there.
The bottom line was my yelling created more and more aggression and other behavior problems in my child.
And the problem was solved in a similar way...
I got a parenting mentor, who taught me exactly what was going on and HOW to turn it around and do things differently.
I went out and learned the parenting and communication skills and tools I needed.
The yelling and behavior problems have turned into giggles, hugs and kisses.
The power struggles have disappeared.
I now know exactly what to do to set limits and turn around behavior problems without yelling, threatening or punishing.
So what can you do right now to help your child and yourself?
- Reduce your stress.
Do what ever it takes so you're not yelling at your children or becoming so preoccupied with your worries that you aren't paying attention to them.
Exercise, lavender baths, talking with someone supportive (this doesn't count if the person causes you more stress).
Do what ever it takes to reduce your stress. - Set aside time for 20 minutes of unstructured play with your children every day.
Basically, do whatever your child wants to do to connect with you.
This is a time for having fun together and building your relationship not teaching, correcting, or "Good Jobbing" them. - Get Parenting Help and Better Communication Skills.
An investment in your family made in this way will be well worth it in the long run.
Even if it means cutting out a toy or two for Christmas or eating at home more.
This is an investment that could not only save you tons of headaches and heartaches in the future by turning around your child's behavior problems before they get out of control, but also save you the financial cost these problems are likely to bring.
What are some of the ways you've reduced your stress in the past that have worked? Who are your most supportive friends and family members or professionals you've worked with? Where could you get better parent communication skills? Now, imagine how much you'll enjoy hearing your child giggle as you play together.