Positive ways of helping a child adapt to change

Being a parent means a lifetime journey of being a good example for your children. Your kids will look up to you for guidance, advice, comfort, company, support and above all they expect much love from you. Children expect so much from their parents or guardians especially when they pass through their own life challenges or when they have to undergo some changes. It is the parents’ role to be there for the4ir offspring during these major life experiences.

As it goes change is inevitable. Change is everywhere, be it in the family circle, social circle, workplace, technology, lifestyle, change is in every aspect of human’s life. It is much easier for a grown up to deal with change rather than a young one. A young one does not always understand why she/he has to accept or/and undergo change. A child will be excited, nervous or even fearful when faced with the prospects of changes to his normal daily life. For some children, changes can be traumatic to them and this calls for their guardians or parents to help them when they have to make new adjustments.

The several types of changes that affect a child include:

· Death of a close person (family member or a close friend).

· Divorce or separation of the parents.

· Starting school.

· Changing school.

· A new addition to the family.

· Moving to a different house, neighborhood.

So what are the effective ways to help a child cope well with change?

1. Honesty. It is very important for the parent to be honest with the child. A parent should not put up an act or lie to the kid. A parent should be straightforward and very honest. Putting up an act tends to hide a parent’s uncertainty of which the child will sense. Be real while talking to him and reassure the child that everything will be fine. And make the child aware that you will be there for him at all times as he undergoes the change.

2. Offer options. It is wise to give your child choices to choose from when certain things are changing in his daily life. This will give him something to look forward to and ease his period of adjusting to new things.

3. Adjusting time. Parents should give their kids adequate time and space to accept the change and settle well. Some kids take longer than others to adjust and so the parents should not panic, instead they should be patient and offer support to their kids during this time.

4. Do not change everything. It is wise to keep much the same as before. Since the child is already on a daily routine, the parent should not change everything in the child’s daily life at once. Keep as much of his other life normal as possible.

5. Take hints from your kid. The parent should take cues from their child who is about to undergo change. Let the kid lead as you follow closely behind.

6. Be a good example. If the parents are not coping well with the change then it is more likely that the children will follow their parents. This is because some kids will tend to notice their parents are anxious about the change and this will make it difficult for them to cope with the same change.

7. Advance preparation. It is wise to talk to your child about the change before it happens. Make it seem like fun and something that will bring happiness as well as change his life positively.

8. Do you know your child? Some children to not adapt to change in a good way and this will mean that the parents should know their children well enough to know their needs and fears when faced with changes.

It is the parent’s duty to make his child know that the child is able to embrace and cope with any changes in life. The parents should portray change as fun and as a challenge that is positive; by this the child will be able to adapt to change with a lot of ease.