How to Resolve Conduct Disorder among Children?
ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and what not! You may have witnessed people labeling innocent children with such severe conduct disorders. Is the disorder a real culprit? Are children really born with such things, or do they get this all by their genes or atmosphere? We will try to figure out the nuggets behind the real reason.
Being an elementary school teacher for about a decade and having many kids around me in the extended family, I have some observations about the conduct disorder.
- Dysfunctional Family
Behind the perfect family portrait, there is a lot of trauma hidden (most of the cases). Yes! I am saying this with full consciousness. Out of every ten houses, seven are badly affected. Unresolved trauma of the parents may impact a child’s mental health, which leads to ill behavior many times. It is proved that parents’ stress level transfers in their children through their genes. An unhealthy relationship with your spouse will indeed affect the child’s personality.
2. Sugary Food
“Sugar” has been associated with kids as if they are inseparable. This highly addictive ingredient has become popular among children in the past 100 years. Higher exposure to fizzy drinks and cookies mainly consists of 85% sugar root hyper activeness, mood swings, brain damage, and enhances the craving for sugary food. The latest research on mice proved that sugar was enough all alone to damage their brains.
3. Screen Time
Excessive screen time is the foe to a child’s imagination. Many educationists don’t recommend more than 1 hour of screen time for aged 0–3 years and more than 3 hours for 3–5 years old. The year from 0–7 is crucial in a child’s life because of brain and personality developments. Screen time may result in hyperactiveness.
4. Sleep Time
Children are aged 0–5 are required to sleep for 12–14 hours a day. Their bodies and brains grow while sleeping. Stress followed by excessive screen timings harm the child’s health and isn’t ideal for building a good personality trait.
5. Respect
To get respect, we need to give it first. As a parent, it’s our heartiest desire to have obedient and respectful offsprings. But we forget that we get what we sow. Loving and respecting your child are two different things — respecting and setting boundaries with your child will avoid hurdles in the future.
6. Freedom of expression
If you put a goldfish in a bowl, it will never increase in size. Allow your child to explore his/her freedom. Let them initiate and have the patience for the mess they will produce to create something incredible. Have the heart to allow them to be themselves. If the child wants to paint, offer brushes. If the child wants to bake, please don’t burn yourself in anger.
7. Communication with patience
Children crave prolonged communication, repetitive questions and tend to listen to endless stories, and we ‘adults’ lose such interest by the time we age. We need to develop two good years who are ready to listen to them with empathy. It gets tiring at times to be patient with your child but try to be creative with them.
8. School should not be the pain in the neck.
Schools’ significant role must be enhancing a child’s creativity, but sadly, most schools burden the children. Many children developed severe depression while being in school because they are being bullied or do not like the teacher or subject.
In that case, Homeschooling or hiring a trained and empathetic teacher can resolve the problems and save a child’s life. Furthermore, view Sir Ken Robbinson’s work.
9. Safe Environment
If your child does not feel safe with any person (inside or outside of family), then he/she must not be pushed to meet with that person. How will you feel if you are touched or kissed by some stranger? Your child is a complete human being. Protect them from anyone they do not feel comfortable with.
10. Nurture in Nature
Children can be taken to the beach, garden, zoo, or mountains to marvel at the beauty bestowed to us by God. While sitting at the coast of the beach and looking up at the flock of birds and meditation would surely bring a genuine smile and calm the brain of your child.
11. Therapist
Therapy is an excellent source to heal emotional wounds. Children might have emotional wounds that you cannot see. They might misbehave to get your attention. If you are still puzzled to resolve your child’s issues, there is no harm in getting help from a licensed therapist.
Bonus Tip:
Parenting gets exhausting at times. It is not easy to deal with young ones, but with a little bit of mindfulness and self-actualization, parents can soothe their nerves and children. Do not expect perfectionism, and do not outsource your role as a parent.
