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Be a Great Mum: Children's behaviour - it always makes sense

by Judy Reith

Managing children’s behaviour is a large part of being a mum. Behaviour occurs to meet a need. A child is tired, the need is to sleep, but the behaviour might be obnoxious, and difficult to deal with. A child is bored, the need is for stimulation, but drawing on the wall or thumping a sibling is what the mother is left to sort out. A mother is anxious, the need is for reassurance, but what the children see is a mum who’s flapping, saying no and looking worried. How needs are communicated in families is vital to meeting the needs. One of the greatest things you can do for your children, any relationship in fact, is to develop the art of listening. Being able to listen without judgement, unasked for opinion and interruptions is a gift you can give to your children which they will value all their lives. Think about who you turn to when you want to talk something through. What is it about that person that makes it easy for you to talk to them? All families will go through a tough patch such as job problems, relationships struggling, illness or bereavement, and being able to listen and communicate effectively in these times will help your children most. Resource yourself by using the Internet, books and talk to those you respect who seem to know a thing or two about children’s behaviour. We might not always understand why our children are behaving in a particular way, but if it’s behaviour that is unacceptable or cause for concern, dig around and find out what’s going on and be prepared to listen.
Judy Reith. www.parentingpeople.co.uk


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