Have You Seen An Increase In Children That Misbehave?
I was having a conversation with a group of women comprising of professionals, homemakers, teachers, parents and even grandparents last week. Then someone asked if we found an increase in children that misbehave nowadays?
Parenting styles have changed over the years. It has shifted because people are afraid to tell their children “no”, perhaps they may want to be friends with them or afraid to upset their children. Some parents even make excuses for their children’s behaviour.
Filial piety is an important moral and entails a strong loyalty and respect to one’s parents. Someone quipped that some parents practice filial piety towards their own children instead. Parents are so wrapped up in technology that they are not teaching their children what behaviour is acceptable and what is not. I tried to recall and compiled what were discussed to share some here with you.
10 reasons for behaviour problems in children:
- Due to devices, children are having poor motor skills. Some young children don’t know how to write or use the scissors, toddlers don’t know how to use utensils like holding fork and spoon. Nor do they have boundaries on walking around with food or having to sit to eat.
- Poor diet. Parents feed them tasty food instead of healthy food.
- Lack of routine, sleeping late, no fixed time to study etc.
- Less outdoor, less exercise. Sedentary lifestyle is often sitting, watching television, playing video games, or using a mobile phone/computer for much of the day.
- Lack of helping children to do age appropriate task themselves.
- Children don’t know how to play together anymore. They prefer to be alone.
- Inconsistent rules from overwhelmed parents. Children are confused by what their parents really want from them.
- Both parents do not want to say “no” to their child.
- Parents do everything for them and don’t make the child responsible for their own actions.
- Children have a sense of entitlement as if their parents owe them.
I have personally seen an increase in violent behaviour of children. Let’s not make gadgets become the babysitter to our children. At restaurants, parents would push their gadgets to their children and many even equipped with a handphone holder.
According to psychologists, children develop better when you let them be bored. The number one-benefit of children experiencing periods of boredom is that it develops their innate ability to be creative.
Teach our children to have respect for others. Parents can bring their children outdoor, have a no-gadget time with your children, connect with nature and let them socialise with friends. Adults have to be the role models to their children. Your children will become who you are, so be who you want them to be.