Children are probably the most vulnerable of our society. This page of my website will focus on child advocacy. Most Parents want their children to succeed. Sometimes, Parents have problems, with their mental health or otherwise, and they can’t care for their children as they should. I believe children need to be loved and supported, and the number one way to do that is to support their Parents. If a Parent needs help, there should be no shame in seeking it. We should all come around Parents in our sphere of influence and share the love of Christ with them.
Do Not Frustrate Your Children
People often wonder why their children misbehave. Like adults, many children have character flaws, leading them to act out. But sometimes, children misbehave because of the way they are treated. Traumas, even small ones, can lead to problematic behaviors. We can all relate to this in some way. How many times have you been in a sour mood and treated someone poorly because of it? And how many times has your poor mood been a result of something difficult in your life? In no way is poor behavior towards others justified, no matter what we’ve gone through, but our difficult experiences do help explain why we act this way. In Colossians 3:21, Paul the Apostle wrote, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” The Bible acknowledges that if we provoke children, and really provoke anyone, they will feel discouraged. Negative behavior naturally flows from such provocation, and the Bible admonishes us not to intentionally cause frustration for children. Children may naturally get discouraged, if they willingly misbehave or if things happen that are out of their or their Parents’ control, but we should not intentionally provoke children. A child has the best chance to develop well if they are treated well. I have seen countless examples of this in my life.
What Children Need to Thrive
I once worked in a program where I evaluated foster children for the courts. I would go into foster homes, and I would ensure that it met the basic needs of the child(ren). I always looked for three things, safety, security, and stability, which when you think about it are all the same thing. And this is really what all children need to thrive. A child whose home life is chaotic will most likely show it in their behavior. Child mental illness does exist – I know because I have witnessed it – but often, a child’s depression or anxiety can be traced back to problems in their home. I’m not saying that Parents need to be perfect; after all, no one is perfect, but as I’ve said before, children who are treated well will most likely be stable. I have seen what happens when Parents turn it around at home, and they stop abusive or mean behavior toward their kids. Their children usually get back on track, and they start doing well. If your child is having behavioral problems, start spending time with them, doing things they enjoy. Find things for them to do outside the home, like sports or clubs or church activities. Children should be having fun, which will lead to better mental health. I have always said that play is the language of children, and it’s a universal language.
Vazquez Counseling 