---------- OR ----------

Create account

Join clubs to discuss your interests
Connect with people like you
Share information, seek advice, get support


Home Pregnancy Baby Names Lucky Names Parenting Rhymes Stories Beauty Love Contests More Cooking Discussion Getting Pregnant Expecting a Baby Newborn Baby (0-3 months) Baby (3-12 months) Toddler (1-3 years) Preschoolers (3-5 years) Kids (5-9 years) Pre-Teens (9-12 years) Teens (13-18 years) Sex Education Preconception Miscarriages Fertility Issues Adoption Pregnancy Newborn Care Baby Names Baby Naming Tips Baby's Diet Child's Healthcare Child Development Pre-Schools Raising Children Food & Nutrition Manners & Discipline Intelligent Child Confident Child Teen Issues Baby Photo Contest Kids Photo Contest

Write a
Review

Add a
Listing

What do Children Worry About?

Childrenusuallyworryaboutalotofthingswhichcangiverisetobehaviouralissuesinthem.Therefore,parentsmustreassurethemtherightwayiftheyworryaboutorarescaredofsomething.Readtoknowwhatchildrenusuallyworryabout.Contrarytothepopularbelief,childrenworryaboutthingsyoucouldhaveneverimagined.Thoughtheyoftencannotexpresstheiremotions,theyarealwaysobservingyou.Children’smindsaredevelopedtounderstandemotionsbytheageoffive.Researchonemotionaldevelopmentsaysthatchildrenwhounderstandandmanagetheirfeelingsgoontohavebetterrelationshipsinlife,dobetterinschoolandaregenerallyhappier.However,insteadofdismissingtheir“fears”,parentsshouldmaketheefforttoconnectwiththechild,letherknowthattheyarenotaloneandthatthereisasolutiontotheirworries.InthisarticleFamilyArgumentsSiblingJealousyMonstersandtheDarkRelocatingtoaNewHousePeerIssues1.FamilyArgumentsChildrendreadfightsbetweentheirparentsastheyfeelthattheyareresponsibleforit.Theyarescaredaboutmaritalconflictsandseparation,andlaterhavingtochoosetolivewithoneoftheparents.Donotbrushthemoffbysaying,“Itisnotbecauseofyou”.Instead,talktoyourchildabouttheirfearsandassurethemthatquarrelsaretemporary.Letherknowthatthatyouarestilltogetherasafamily,andloveeachother.Evenifyouhaveanargumentbeforeyourchild,trytomakeupandsaysorryinfrontofthem.2.SiblingJealousyAsachildgrowsup,shegetsusedtoherparents’undividedattentionandlove.Atthearrivalofanewbaby,shetendstofeelignoredandneglected.Tohelpherdealwiththischange,tellheraboutthepregnancyandtakeheralongfortheprenatalvisits.Letherknowthatmummywillbebusywiththenewbabyforawhile.Giveherachancetoaskquestions,lethervoiceherconcernsandventoutfeelingsbeforethebabyarrives.Settingsomespecialtimeasidepreparestheolderchildforthenewbaby.3.MonstersandtheDarkMostchildrenarescaredofthedark.Tellthemthatthedarkhelpsthemtorestbetter.Itisbetternottotelltheirstoriesaboutghostsandthedarkatnight.KeepthemawayfromTVshowsthatinvolveparanormalsightings.Neversaythingslike,“Amonsterwillcomeandtakeyouawayfromusifyoudonotfinishyourdinner.”Suchchildrengoontodevelopagreatfearofthedark.Remindthemthatmonstersaremake-believecharactersinstoriesandthattheydonotexistinreality.4.RelocatingtoaNewHouseForchildren,theirhomeisaplaceofcomfortandsecurity.Leavingthefamiliarhomeandfriendsmaybeacauseofworryforthechild.Youcanhelpthemadjusttothenewhousebytellingthemaboutthepositivesidesofrelocation.Letthemchoosethecolouroftheirbedroomwalls.Talktothemaboutabiggerparkandnewfriends.Startinganewschoolmightalsobedauntingforolderchildren.Takethemtoseetheschoolandmeettheirclassmates,ifpossible.Knowingaboutthelessonsbeingdonealsohelpsthemtocatchupwiththeirclassmates.Joiningaschoolcluboftheirinterestwillalsohelptheirmakenewfriends.5.PeerIssuesThankstothemediainsomeways,olderchildrenmightfeelthattheyarenotgoodenough.Tellthemthathavingthelatestgadgetandhavingthebestlooksisnotthemostimportantthing.Teachthemtofocusmoreontheirpersonalityfromayoungage.Avoidusingnicknamesrelatedtotheirsizeorshape.Lookoutforpositivepeerpressurethathelpsyourchilddevelopbetter.Beapositiverolemodelyourselfandloveyourchildrenforwhattheyare.Listofchild’sanxieties,fearsandworriesisexhaustingandparentsneedtokeepalookoutforachangeinbehaviour.Parentsneedtobeextracautiousincasesoffamilyseparation,relocatingtoanewplace,andnewarrivalofababyorevendeath.Achild’smindissensitive,soefforthastobemadetoaccommodatetotheirfeelings.Whicharethecommonfearsandanxietiesinchildren?Howtohelpchildrengetridoftheirworriesandanxieties?Howdoworriesandanxietiesaffectthebehaviourofchildren?Discusshere.

Contrary to the popular belief, children worry about things you could have never imagined. Though they often cannot express their emotions, they are always observing you. Children’s minds are developed to understand emotions by the age of five.

Research on emotional development says that children who understand and manage their feelings go on to have better relationships in life, do better in school and are generally happier. However, instead of dismissing their “fears”, parents should make the effort to connect with the child, let her know that they are not alone and that there is a solution to their worries.

1. Family Arguments

Children dread fights between their parents as they feel that they are responsible for it. They are scared about marital conflicts and separation, and later having to choose to live with one of the parents. Do not brush them off by saying, “It is not because of you”. Instead, talk to your child about their fears and assure them that quarrels are temporary. Let her know that that you are still together as a family, and love each other. Even if you have an argument before your child, try to make up and say sorry in front of them.

2. Sibling Jealousy

As a child grows up, she gets used to her parents’ undivided attention and love. At the arrival of a new baby, she tends to feel ignored and neglected. To help her deal with this change, tell her about the pregnancy and take her along for the prenatal visits. Let her know that mummy will be busy with the new baby for a while. Give her a chance to ask questions, let her voice her concerns and vent out feelings before the baby arrives. Setting some special time aside prepares the older child for the new baby.

3. Monsters and the Dark

Most children are scared of the dark. Tell them that the dark helps them to rest better. It is better not to tell their stories about ghosts and the dark at night. Keep them away from TV shows that involve paranormal sightings. Never say things like, “A monster will come and take you away from us if you do not finish your dinner.” Such children go on to develop a great fear of the dark. Remind them that monsters are make-believe characters in stories and that they do not exist in reality.

4. Relocating to a New House

For children, their home is a place of comfort and security. Leaving the familiar home and friends may be a cause of worry for the child. You can help them adjust to the new house by telling them about the positive sides of relocation. Let them choose the colour of their bedroom walls. Talk to them about a bigger park and new friends. Starting a new school might also be daunting for older children. Take them to see the school and meet their classmates, if possible. Knowing about the lessons being done also helps them to catch up with their classmates. Joining a school club of their interest will also help their make new friends.

5. Peer Issues

Thanks to the media in some ways, older children might feel that they are not good enough. Tell them that having the latest gadget and having the best looks is not the most important thing. Teach them to focus more on their personality from a young age. Avoid using nicknames related to their size or shape. Look out for positive peer pressure that helps your child develop better. Be a positive role model yourself and love your children for what they are.

List of child’s anxieties, fears and worries is exhausting and parents need to keep a look out for a change in behaviour. Parents need to be extra cautious in cases of family separation, relocating to a new place, and new arrival of a baby or even death. A child’s mind is sensitive, so effort has to be made to accommodate to their feelings.

Which are the common fears and anxieties in children? How to help children get rid of their worries and anxieties? How do worries and anxieties affect the behaviour of children? Discuss here.

You may also be interested in:

Anxiety Disorder in Children
(16556 views)

Fear of the Dark
(23641 views)

How to Get Your Child Go to School Without Crying
(50378 views)

Tackle your child's first separation with tact
(25554 views)

Helping children to cope with a terror attack
(11592 views)

Separation Anxiety in Toddlers
(4387 views)

Notifications

3 Comments

Sort by Newest

Alesha.5 years ago

When children start worry their emotional health is affected. Therefore, parents must make sure that children do not worry about anything and enjoy their childhood.