Here’s how you can help your child cope with change positively

There are so many transitions in a child’s life from crib to bed,  home to school, one city to another. Most parents just assume that the child will go with the flow. But what they often forget is that kids have a hard time adapting to these changes and it can be overwhelming for them. 

Doing something new in life can be exciting but also potentially scary. Therefore, we need to teach our kids to how to cope with these changes. Now the big question is how do parents make the child learn to adapt to new things? What skills does he need to make a smooth transition? 

Here are some ways that can help parents ensure their kid copes with change positively.  

Spend quality time with your child 
Talking to your youngster about their emotions is the best way to understand what’s going on inside their mind.  Do not expect your child to figure things out on her own. Acknowledge changes from her perspective too. Spending time regularly with her will help in building a transparent relation, where your child can communicate their thoughts, emotions to you comfortably. Play games or indulge in activities that your child loves to help him overcome the confusion and open up. 

Be a good listener too 
Good listening is an important life skill that many people lack. If you are a parent and you want to genuinely help your child adapt to changes, you have to be all ears to them. Ensure you don’t keep repeating the same thing over and over again. Make it a two-way conversation.   

Let them be upset 
You cannot force someone to feel happy or sad, it all depends on the situation.  Emotions are the body’s mental response to the change. There are times when kids feel the need to have a good cry. Let them express their emotion and disappointment, don’t start scolding them for crying.  It’s better to show frustration, rather than holding on to something for long. Accept that coping takes time, and not everyone is capable of getting used to new things fast. 

Focus on the Positive aspect 
Changes can be due to bad reasons, as well. Help your child find the good in seemingly bad situations as it will help him grow strong and develop important life skills. Don’t talk to someone in front of your child only about the negative aspect of the situation. Talk positively and focus on the good, because thinking good is the right solution to many problems. It can have a positive impact on your child’s mind.  

Indulge them in activities 
It is important to keep a kid’s mind distracted from thinking constantly about change. Set new routines by planning simple activities for them at home like a movie night or take them out for a treat. It’s the best way indeed to deal with a kid’s psychology.