Saed News: Sulking in children can become more frequent from the age of three, as they begin to understand and engage in social life. For this reason, it is very important to respond appropriately to children's sulking at this sensitive age.
According to the Family Health Service of Saed News, many parents ask: How should I deal with a child who frequently sulks? Sulking can be seen as a power struggle between parents and the child. The reason for this conflict is that both sides want to assert their opinions. In infancy, children are completely dependent on their parents. As they develop physically and cognitively, they take their first steps toward independence, which naturally leads to conflicts.
Every child who grows up in a healthy way naturally wants to become independent in their environment while always needing to feel unconditional love and trust from their parents. After the first year, the world outside the home becomes more interesting for the child. Especially after they start walking and expressing their desires, they become tempted to leave the safe embrace of their parents and explore new discoveries.
As children develop new skills, they gain more control over their actions, making parenting more challenging. Parents can no longer monitor and control them as easily. Stubbornness and sulking become part of daily life as children try to implement their own plans while encountering the rules and boundaries set by their parents.
The rules and limits that parents establish to protect their children often clash with the child's curiosity, leading the child to insist on exploring. Young children do not fully understand the reasoning behind these rules; they only feel restricted and resist with even greater determination.
Often, even if parents eventually give in and fulfill the child's demands, the child may not immediately regain their calm. Feeling restricted can lead to overwhelming anger. In such situations, young children may express their emotions in extreme ways because they lack full control over their feelings.
1. Take your child seriously.
Young children’s stubbornness or sulking may seem amusing to adults, but remember that their emotions at that moment are intense and very important to them.
2. Pay attention to your own behavior.
Sulking can also be a personality trait, and parents should consider their own behavior. If you always insist that things be done your way, your child may be mirroring this trait.
3. Avoid turning sulking into a power struggle.
If conflicts become about winning and losing, they will escalate. This will lead the child to continuously challenge, push, and try to break the limits set by parents.
4. In some cases, ignoring may be more effective than intervening.
Children seek their parents' attention, even if it's negative. If sulking drags on and no resolution is found, ignoring it might be the best approach. However, it is essential for the child to know that you will always be there whenever they need you.
5. Stay calm and manage conflicts wisely.
If parents can remain calm, identify the root cause of conflicts, and express their own emotions appropriately without engaging in a power struggle, handling a sulking child will become much easier.
As mentioned earlier, sulking usually starts around the age of two. However, not all children are the same, and even one-year-olds may show signs of sulking. But do you know how family influence affects sulking in one- and two-year-olds? Let's examine this further.
At this age, children tend to imitate adults and try to behave like their family members. A child can learn resilience and perseverance from their family or see sulking as a solution.
For example, if parents give too much attention to a sulking child, the child may learn that sulking is an effective way to get attention or achieve their desires. Therefore, family behavior and correct responses play a crucial role in shaping the child's approach to sulking.
Since sulking typically starts at two years old, it is essential to pay attention to all the tips mentioned in this article. It is also important to be aware of the key factors that can make a two-year-old's sulking worse.
For instance, low self-confidence, often caused by a lack of social interaction, can reinforce this behavior. Excessive emotions and not having a proper outlet to release them can also lead to more frequent sulking.
To prevent frequent sulking, parents should adopt strategies such as:
Teaching their child to accept “no.” While this may seem simple, it is actually quite challenging and is one of the best ways to raise a child who does not rely on sulking.
Encouraging social interaction. Enrolling children in clubs, activity centers, or socializing them with other kids can be an effective way to reduce sulking.
By implementing these strategies, parents can help their children develop better emotional control and social skills while reducing episodes of sulking.
