Rain, Rain, Go Away
How do you boost your child's spirits when he comes home feeling low because something bad happened at school?
When something bad happens to you, who likes to hear, “Feh, that was nothing!” or “You're making too much out of what happened.” No one. Such comments make you feel small. The same goes for kids. Don’t tell your child he’s being a baby if he’s bothered by something that has happened at school. Avoid the blame game, too.
“What did you do or say that caused the teacher to get upset with you?” Such remarks, if they happen repeatedly, may gradually stop your child from sharing such worries with you.
The best approach is to let him vent and talk about the upsetting incident. Ask open-ended questions and help him identify his feelings. You can agree that what happened was upsetting. Quite often, this is sufficient enough, often a child simply wants you to acknowledge his hurt.
At this point, ask your child to consider what he or she might do in the future when faced with a similar situation.
Together, you can discuss some problem-solving strategies. Plus, you can build his self-confidence by reminding him that he has handled unpleasant situations successfully in the past. Finally, if it’s truly a serious situation and one likely to continue, i.e. bullying or criticism, it is time to step in and ask the teacher for help.