Discipline Strategies For Highly Sensitive Children
Disciplining children has never been easy, but for parents of highly sensitive children it can be especially challenging. It is important that parents know some tips to discipline their children successfully, even if they are highly sensitive and emotional.
Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs on the planet, and everyone who has the privilege of parenting is truly lucky. However, it is not always easy. Usually the most rewarding jobs come with hard work.
It is through this hard work that we grow as parents and individuals and, from time to time, we are rewarded with those moments that stop us on our way, take over our hearts, and assure us that what we are doing is good. This job can pose even more challenges for parents of a highly sensitive or highly emotional child.
What are highly sensitive children?
A child who is very sensitive is very conscientious and reacts quickly. Feel things on a deeper level. These children are incredibly empathetic and perceptive of their surroundings and how they move through space.
When a highly sensitive child becomes frustrated, you need to try to reassure them that it is okay to get nervous and that they can try again what they were doing when they feel a little better, which would probably work well for a child who is not very sensitive. For the child who feels deeply, these words do not influence his feelings.
Now that we understand some of the behaviors and components of a highly sensitive child, what are the appropriate ways, for parents, to teach and discipline? We will discuss this in more detail below.
How to discipline highly sensitive children
First of all, it should be noted that being highly sensitive is not a disability or a syndrome, but a personality trait. Being highly sensitive is actually a wonderful personality trait, once a child and their parents understand how to better organize themselves and take care of deep emotions and feelings.
Discard the defensive
As parents, we must be aware of our own feelings. Because our children are separated from us, in terms of individual beings with their own thoughts, feelings, and reactions, they will sometimes (very often) get angry about the choices we make. This is good.
So, as parents, we must be aware of this individuality and validate our own feelings. In doing so, it is important not to get defensive and invaded by our own emotions right now.
Show empathy
When your child is upset and has a tantrum, it’s important to show empathy and understanding with words, rather than walking away to calm down. When we walk away, we can send the message to our children that they are not accepted. We need to warmly acknowledge how they feel and give them the opportunity to express their feelings.
Say warmly and sincerely: “I see that you are angry with me, and I am the type of mother who really wants to listen to you. Tell me how angry you are with me . ” Also, you have to do it with empathy.
For example, with a three-year-old, you might say, “Mom can see that you are disappointed. You want more playtime and now it’s bath time. You got mad at mommy. It’s hard to stop when you want more. ” By being there for our children emotionally and physically, we are ensuring strong bonds with our children and, with them so that they can trust us, even in their most difficult times.
Managerial discipline
Once communication and emotional support has been made, it is important to set limits and move on. Follow-up shows your child consistent behavior that they can trust. We need to be able to sincerely support our children knowing that they can.
When we are providing a consequence, we cannot do it in a vacuum. We need to provide the narrative they need to understand what they have done, understand its consequences, and learn from it.
We can also be open and communicative with our children. We can tell you that we have the difficult job of having to say no. It is difficult because it bothers someone we love. But we say no because our job is to keep our children safe and help them learn.
