How To Help Children And Youth That Fight
Fights Very Often; Quick Tempered
Children & youth who fight a lot should be given a medical evaluation. Pick doctors who are familiar with the practices listed below and follow their advice. The child or youth who throws the first punch is often the child or youth in the most pain and frustration. Fighting and starting fights is often related to needing to feel safe, be in control of something and release pent-up emotions which cannot be expressed appropriately. Unchecked and not replaced by alternative problem solving methods, fighting can become a life-long pattern with very negative consequences to adult success. Fighting can be related to and complicated by: family patterns; modeling; exposure to family violence; media messages; learning disabilities; listening challenges–including auditory processing, hearing; communication challenges; prolonged stress; depression or other mental illnesses; anxiety; low self-esteem; physical or emotional trauma; abuses of any kind; exposure to environmental pollutants; out of balance nutrition.
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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: • Long Walks/Hikes • Nature • Back Rubs and Foot Massages • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Wholesome Pleasures • Pets • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games |
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For Parents: • Too many TV programs, video games, movies and music stimulate, frighten and support fighting. • Channel the child or youth’s fighting energy by getting involved as a family in community activities that help other people and/or the environment. |
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Check out: www.raisingkids.co.uk/abt/abt.asp; www.acestudy.org; www.traumasoma.com/index.shtml (very technical). |