There are no bad children

"There are no bad children - they just don't know how to lower their arousal levels" is the current view of many child experts.

Brain scans reveal that children's "difficult" or defiant behaviour may be a sign that they are overwhelmed emotionally. While traditional "outside-in" approaches such as star charts and consequences can help shape behaviour, science is indicating that "inside-out" approaches encourage children to manage their emotions. This, in turn, leads to greater self-regulation of behaviour, which is ultimately what all parents want for their little ones.

When children are intrinsically (rather than extrinsically or externally) motivated to identify, track and manage their feelings, their responses to challenges become more flexible and thoughtful. This leads to long-term resilience in the face of the challenges that life will inevitably throw them.

To learn more about helping your child (and yourself!) make the right decisions when they are under pressure, contact Jane Marsden Counselling.