Children become troubled and have difficulty socially, emotionally and academically for a variety of reasons. Violence, substance abuse and neglect in the home wreak havoc on a child's self-esteem and coping skills. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, children who experience a traumatic event, such as a weather disaster, family crisis or community trauma, often react negatively and have difficulty overcoming their fears and thoughts about the event. It's up to parents, educators and caregivers to find effective ways to deal with these troubled kids.
Step 1
Acknowledge the trauma and subsequent feelings a troubled kid may express. Dismissing a child's feelings as unimportant or irrelevant only exacerbates the situation and can lead to additional acting out on the part of the child. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, everyone reacts differently to crisis and abuse, and each person's feelings must be honored.
Step 2
Explain to your troubled kid that you understand her feelings. Tell her that you still love her even though you may not agree with her behavior or her reactions to various situations. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, unconditional love is the best antidote for a negative self-image and low self-esteem.
Step 3
Hold kids accountable for household chores, curfews and other rules of your house. In addition to paying an allowance or providing privileges to children who complete their homework and household chores, you need to execute fair consequences when the rules are broken. Consistency is vital to prepare troubled youth to face a world that exacts consequences.
Step 4
Educate yourself by talking with a teen counselor and reading up on published studies of teens and normal adolescent development so that you can effectively deal with normal growth patterns. According to KidsHealth, parents who are prepared for certain issues, such as sexuality, body image and peer pressure, are better able to cope with troubled kids and their worrisome behavior.
Step 5
Choose your battles carefully, and don't try to micromanage your troubled kid. According to KidsHealth, it's better to pick important issues ,such as sex and drugs, to take a stern stance over, rather than pick fights over irrelevant fads, like piercing or dyeing their hair.
Tips and Warnings
- Work with your spouse or adult partner to find common ground for discipline and house rules. When children are faced with conflict among the adults in their family, they become confused and look for ways to take advantage of the inconsistencies, according to the American Academy of Pediatricians.
- According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, troubled kids project a number of warning signs when their emotions are getting out of hand and leading to serious consequences. Watch for signs of trouble if your child loses or gains weight suddenly, has difficulty sleeping or concentrating and refuses to participate in activities that previously interested him.
Things You'll Need
- Rules
- Rewards
