Why is it important to raise emotionally stable children?
Why is it important to raise emotionally stable children?
A family came over to visit, bringing their six children. They were as quiet and orderly as a Japanese delegation visiting the capitol building for the first time. It was clear they had taught their children to maintain control of their emotions.
They were so respectful of our property and presence, not talking or playing loudly, or crying excessively. They knew when to share and give over nicely if another child wanted something in their possession. It takes consistent training and discipline to produce this kind of results.
It is common these days to see kids throwing tantrums in shops because they didn’t get the toys or gifts they wanted. I watched a video some months ago, where a young boy of about fourteen years was throwing down TV Sets and expensive electronics off the shelf of a shop in Lagos. The parents stood by begging him and pleading with him to stop. It was a terrible sight.
For your children’s own good, teach them to maintain control of their emotions. If you do not want to produce weaklings who use adversity or deprivation as a chance to command attention, then don’t program or train them that way.
When your toddler falls over on the floor, don’t run over and pick him up, screaming, sounding alarmed, and in an overly sympathetic manner. It’s all part of his growth process. Have you seen kids who shout and scream at the slightest provocation just to attract attention?
I remember a family of eight boys that occupied one of our flats many years ago. The slightest provocation over seemingly petty things would lead to so much drama. It was truly a house of commotion with lots of physical fighting, violence, and exchange of words. Their parents were not exempted from the commotion. We always prayed they would not kill each other one day and were so relieved when they eventually moved out.
As parents, we must take care not to make emotional wrecks of our children by pampering their weaknesses or affirming their wrong behaviors. While in the university, a young medical student jumped into a river by the school and got drowned because she was jilted by her boyfriend.
Training your child to manage their emotions as they grow, will do them much good and save you as a parent from disturbing emotional dramas in the future.
Together we win.
@ Nkese Umofia
Success in Parenting series
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Christian Youth Mentoring Initiative provides opportunities for mentorship, leadership training, growth, and development of youths. Our vision is to raise well-balanced youths, high flyers, focused, and capable of standing out in the global world. Email us: info@cymi.org.ng
