"Children are much more robust and competent than we allow them to be in everyday life
Norbert F. Schneider, sociologist and family researcher in an interview with "Der Spiegel"
It is fundamentally important for the growth and mental health of our children that they learn to cope with frustrations and injustices in life at an early age. Ideally, we parents should support and strengthen them in this process. We provide them with support and together we endure the fact that there are moments that are not nice.
Unfortunately, however, there is a trend that parents all too often try to keep any pain and frustration away from their children. In practice, for example, we see this when children have to be distracted with a video or something similar for even the smallest things. It would be better to say something like: "So, now it's going to be unpleasant, now it's going to hurt a little - but together we'll get through it." Or things like injustices at school: a child can and is allowed to simply put up with that. If the parents support the child and stand by their side emotionally, the bottom line is that the child is strengthened and their self-competence grows.
Further interesting tips
J2 screening
The final article in our series on preventive check-ups for children and adolescents: The J2 adolescent check-up is the last of its kind.
Car heat trap
In summer, you just want to go and buy an ice cream or quickly withdraw some money and the baby can wait in the car. That's one of the things you should never do! Because the car can become a life-threatening heat trap within minutes.
Absences
This is a regular topic of discussion in paediatricians’ surgeries, but the immediate trigger for this tip from the doctor was actually an adult: Jamal Musiala, a professional footballer at FC Bayern, caused quite a stir when he slumped to the ground, looking dazed, twice in quick succession during a match. The diagnosis: absence seizures. Here’s a brief summary of what you need to know about this from a paediatrician’s perspective.