How To Help Children And Youth That Are Attracted To Strangers
An attraction to strangers can put children & youth at great risk of being badly hurt and abused. It can be caused by family denial about the impact of the child or youth being exposed to activities that can be frightening and confusing. It may also be due to unconscious family patterns; lack of emotional connection; not being able to recognize what love feels like; needing attention; and traumas and abuses of all kinds. An attraction to strangers is often associated with perceptual challenges: ineffective memory skills; low self-esteem; lack of social skills; confusion and impulsivity. Nutritional imbalances and exposure to environmental pollutants may also be involved.
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First, We Would Investigate |
Second, We Would Investigate |
For Long Term Support |
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On Our Own We Would Try: • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Long Walks/Hikes • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Wholesome Pleasures • Back Rubs and Foot Massages • Nature • Pets • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games |
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For Parents: • Remember that the child’s or youth’s behavior is a way of communicating that he/she needs assistance. If you see the child or youth being too friendly with strangers you need to take action. • Try to see the world through the child or youth’s young eyes. Think of what might be upsetting or confusing to the vulnerable child or youth. • Look up local resources for parenting skills and support. • Kids like structure and predictability. Mean what you say, say what you mean, do what you say you are going to do. • Get help and learn how to give the child or youth effective, consistent routines. • Be patient and kind with the child or youth and yourself. |
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Check out: www.traumasoma.com/index.shtml (very technical); www.acestudy.org. |