"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
Paediatric myths
Have you ever heard these phrases or said them yourself? "The child has such yellow snot, it's probably something bacterial!" "The urine smells so bad, it's probably a urinary tract infection!" "The child is coughing so badly, it must be pneumonia!" You hear all these sentences over and over again and they are all, you guessed it, rubbish.
Comfort
Anger, sadness, pain, despair - there are many moments when children need comforting. And because the whole thing is not as trivial as you might think at first, here are the most important tips on giving comfort.
Earache
Earache is one of the most common reasons why parents take their child to the doctor's surgery. The doctor lists possible causes and treatment tips.