Parents usually have a hard time deciding whether or not they should inform their other children about the mental health issue their child is facing. Sometimes, the difficulty lies more in explaining to the others what’s going on with their other sibling.
And that’s what I’m here for! We’ll talk about how to talk to the siblings of your child who might be struggling with his or her mental health.
Open communication with your other children when one is struggling.
Most parents tend to avoid having a conversation with the siblings of their child as regards the latter’s real condition. Some people have this mindset that when we don’t talk about it then it’s not real.
We tend to divert our attention to avoid what’s happening and so, we’re stuck in the denial stage. It’s understandable how initially, we couldn’t accept the fact that our child is struggling.
But what we have to do is to actually face the situation and confront our children. We don’t need to hide it from them. They deserve to know the truth whether it’s OCD, depression, dyslexia or other mental health issues.
What happens when we don’t talk about it.
We have to maintain an honest and open communication with our children. When we don’t talk about these things, it sends a message that when serious or tough things happen, we shouldn’t confront it or talk about it.
Empathy is a sign of a great leader.
To understand others better, try putting yourself in another person’s shoes. Carefully think about what life is like for them. You have to be able to empathize with other people.
All great leaders have some things in common – empathy and compassion. Empathy, however, is a skill that needs to be developed over time. To help your child develop his or her empathy, you have to be a role model.
There are times when you need to save your kid. There are also times when we need to set boundaries.
Parenting can be a delicate balancing act between protecting and guiding our children while also teaching them important life skills and lessons. Sometimes, the most important thing we can do as parents is to protect our children from harm and danger. Whether it's physically intervening to prevent them from getting hurt or emotionally supporting them through a difficult time, there are certainly moments when we need to prioritize our children's safety and well-being above all else.
However, there are also times when it's important to set boundaries and allow our children to experience the consequences of their actions. This can be difficult, especially when we want to shield them from failure or disappointment. But it's through these experiences that children learn important lessons about responsibility, accountability, and the importance of their choices.
As parents, we must learn to discern when to intervene and when to step back. It's not always an easy decision, and it may require some trial and error. But ultimately, by striking a balance between protection and guidance, we can help our children grow into confident, capable adults who are prepared to face the challenges of the world.
Links and Resources:
➡️ Join our FREE Natural Parenting Community to receive science-backed resources for your child and family. Join here.
➡️ Get help from Dr. Roseann and her team. Apply here.
➡️ “Is it ADHD or something else?” Take the quiz.
