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Treating Emotionally Disturbed Children

Treating emotionally disturbed children is an issue no adoptive parent wants to face, but knowing what to expect and how to deal with difficult issues will better equip you should you end up parenting a child with emotional issues.



No one wants to be like the mother who sent her son, unescorted, back to Russia because she felt she couldn't cope with him anymore. A disrupted adoption is one of the worst things that could happen to a child, so if you are planning to adopt, please go in with the same commitment as you would a biological child.

That being said, an arsenal of knowledge on how to deal with emotional issues is always wise, especially if you plan on adopting an older child. Grumpy Girl.

Emotionally Disturbed Defined

Your child will be clinically described as emotionally disturbed when - over a long period of time - he is unable to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships and acts inappropriately under normal circumstances. In addition, he will be constantly unhappy or depressed. He will be unusually fearful, and his emotional problems will cause him to develop physical symptoms.

Parenting Tips

Treating emotionally disturbed children head on - rather than ignoring the problem and hoping it will go away with time - is the key to successfully parenting these children. Here are some tips:

Patience, Patience, Patience

Children have sensitive antennae under the best of circumstances and can readily pick up when you are angry. Usually they react by behaving even worse, so always strive to remain calm and keep your voice at a soothing tone. Your child needs to believe you are always in control, even if you don't feel like it.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

At first, it may seem like your child is doing everything wrong. Disciplining the child for every single thing he does all day long is going to be an exhausting and frustrating experience. Instead, start first with the behaviors that are destructive and dangerous. Once these behaviors are curbed, you can go on to the other behaviors.

Schedule Time Outs

Not for your child, but for you. Dealing with emotionally disturbed children can be exhausting no matter how much you love them. Make a point of taking time out on a regular basis to avoid burnout.

Focus on the Positive

This is especially crucial in treating emotionally disturbed children. All children need attention, and the emotionally disturbed child needs more than most. If he can't get attention for doing something positive, he'll misbehave to get attention that way. So be sure to reward the good things your child does. Be specific about the good things he has done and offer praise. This positive reinforcement will encourage him to repeat the good behavior over and over again.

How to Become a Positive Parent

Teach your children that good behavior will lead to positive benefits. There are a number of ways to do this, including using a parenting program that allows children to earn tickets for demonstrating good behaviors and positive values.

Learn to modify your child's behavior by watching your language. By stating commands in the positive rather than the negative, you can teach your children in subtle, yet powerful ways.

You can practice better discipline methods by teaching your children that it is their behavior, rather than your anger, that has both positive and negative outcomes, eliminating your anger and frustration in the process.

Peace at Home

There are excellent programs out there to help you with this goal. The important thing is to take a positive step toward positive reinforcement parenting. Your home will become more harmonious, and you'll all be happier and live in a more peaceful environment.

More Information on Raising Adopted Children

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Children that are adopted; what's the rest of their story? What happens to them when they are grown, and how do they feel about being adopted? International Adoption Facts and Information is starting a new series where we hear the stories of adults who were adopted internationally as children. This is the first in that series.

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If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, take heart; it's not nearly as difficult to raise a child with ADHD as you may think. But please do think twice before putting him on a prescription medication. Learn more.

Want to build your newly adopted child's immune system, protecting him from a host of nasty bacterial, viral and fungal infections? Feed him this healthy oil.

For the best bonding experience in the world plus the best nutrition for your newly adopted baby, consider breastfeeding him. Yes, it can be done. Read more.

Have you ever wondered what the phrase, positive parenting means? It's learning to focus on the positives rather than the negatives. Learn more.

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What happens if the child you adopt is displaying autistic tendencies? Take heart; he or she will very likely improve with time. Learn more.

Nobody wants to adopt a child with serious emotional problems, but being prepared for the unexpected is the best way to successful parenting and preventing a disrupted adoption. Learn more.

Understanding the reasons why siblings fight is a good way to prevent rivalries and promote family harmony. Learn more.

Adoption books are a great way to explain adoption to young children and open the door for discussion about sensitive adoption issues such as birth parents, and why your child was placed for adoption. Here are some great books your child will love. Read more.

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If you're waiting for your adopted child to be grown before telling him he's adopted, you may be doing more harm than good. Here's why.

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When a child is adopted internationally, he must not only deal with the shock of new parents, but also often a new language, customs and even different food. Follow these tips to make the transition easier.

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Are you worried that your newly adopted child is so different you won't be able to attach to her? Then you need to read this article. Click here.

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A birth mother who searches for, and even comes back to take back a child she has given up for adoption. Is this possible? This issue was addressed recently in the hit show Glee, when teen mom Quinn, who had given up her baby for adoption in a previous season, announced she wanted to get her daughter back. Read more.



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