[MORE ON] THE SENSITIVE CHILD
When reading or hearing about situations like these, we can either feel validated if we have the same struggles, or grateful that we don’t have the same challenges.
In general, whenever I quote questions, I try to change identifying details. I haven’t changed many details in these questions, however, because having a child who has a hard time controlling his anger, who could spill garbage and throw chairs, sadly does not identify anyone. It may be unfortunate and not the typical, but it’s more common than most people realize. Many parents can relate to what this parent describes in some form or another. Children do sometimes lose it, and it’s important to realize how “normal” it is, both because it’s reassuring, and because it gives us perspective which helps us know how to react. In cases where things are clearly at a level beyond normal they will need to be addressed differently and perhaps with professional guidance too, but for the most part such behavior is not a sign that something is terribly wrong.
Aside from it being normal for a child to “lose it” on occasion, it’s also normal for every family to have a child they struggle with. Most of the parents who sign up for a chinuch course, for example, do so because they have a child they’re struggling with, a child for whom the typical methods don’t seem to be working. That’s normal. And it’s all from Hashem. He presents us with exactly what we need, along with the right tools for the job, and He’s the One Who employed us as parents for these specific children.
Before I answer these two questions, I want to stress that as much as they relate to situations that fall into the category of “normal,” they certainly aren’t easy to address. Implementing the advice I give can definitely be a challenge for any parent, and it’s very normal for parents with such children to want and even need outside support and guidance. That said, there’s a lot parents can achieve on their own, and when you try to the best of your ability, you may be surprised to find that things move forward at a much faster pace than you imagined could be possible — and that the situation isn’t nearly as intolerable as you once thought.
So, after that important introduction, let’s get into practicalities. What do we do with children who present challenges such as uncontrolled anger or defiance (which often stem from the same source)? This topic is one that I address often in my shiurim and articles, as well as in my book. People ascribe such behaviors to all kinds of causes — ”oldest child syndrome,” sandwich child, explosive nature, learning-disabled, on the spectrum... to name just a few. What I have found to be a consistent and accurate “explanation” is an extra measure of sensitivity and emotional instability in the child concerned. What looks like challenging behavior in a difficult child is often just the natural reaction of a very sensitive child with a fragile ego and personality.
Understanding Sensitivity
Each person’s personality is made up of different components. Everyone has a fragile component, a certain amount of sensitivity. We all get nervous sometimes, like things a certain way, and thirst for emotional wellbeing — feeling respected, needed, and understood. The question is how much of the personality is dominated by this fragile component. Some people’s lives are dominated by their craving for emotional comfort. They have low tolerance for emotional discomfort and lack that “bumper” of resilience that enables other people to tolerate life when they aren’t being given what they feel they need.
The degree to which a person is fragile and sensitive is not something that develops — it’s innate. It’s not caused by circumstance or upbringing, although circumstances can trigger or heighten a sensitive reaction or difficulty in tolerating hardship. Two people going through the same thing react differently. Many mothers will look back and say, “Yes, this baby was fussier, cried more, needed things done a certain way...” because degrees of sensitivity can be detected in the crib before there’s any obnoxiousness or explosiveness, or any reason for stronger-than-usual reactions.
When the element of sensitivity is naturally dominant in a child (or even an adult for that matter), it will be accompanied by a need for a greater level of emotional comfort, and a lower level of tolerance to the lack of it. Such children are easily triggered or thrown off-course. They don’t like to be controlled or told what to do, amongst many other characteristics.
Understanding and interpreting sensitivity correctly can help you prevent or at least minimize many of the problems that arise with such a child. If you have no idea what’s going to cause the next explosion, everything remains unpredictable and the best you can do is deal with each new incident as it arises. When you understand the child, you don’t need to wait for things to happen.
I often ask parents in such situations, “How many times have you knocked a glass off the table in the past month?” Usually the answer is, “Not even once.” Then I ask, “How many times did you drop a tissue or a pen during the past month?” Most parents can recall dropping plenty of things even just in the past few days. How come?
The answer is that subconsciously, we’re more careful with glass. When there’s a glass on the table, we walk past it differently, and we take care not to place it at the edge. It’s not even something we stop to think about — it’s automatic. And why? Because glass is fragile. In the same way, we have to understand that the child who’s causing difficulty and heartache is not “a bad kid with anger issues that need to be fixed.” He’s just a sensitive child. Very sensitive. And he’ll probably always remain that way. When a fragile child is dealt with appropriately, in a way that helps him feel good about himself, he’ll grow up healthier and more balanced than he would if his nature was constantly challenged. This sensitivity is part of who he is. He doesn’t have to be fixed or changed. You — or the child — may want to go to someone who can give you some guidance and tips on how to deal with the sensitivity, but no one can “fix” him.
When you understand that the issue is sensitivity, not obnoxiousness, suddenly you can predict how he’s going to react — based on his patterns and your understanding of what sensitivity is all about. “He’s going to come home to this situation. He won’t be able to handle it. I’ll talk to him in advance.” That’s what he needs, even if your other children don’t.
Building Self-Esteem and Handling Outbursts
A child with hypersensitivity may look very macho on the outside. It’s very likely a cover-up for low self-esteem. I often ask parents, “If I were to ask your child how you feel about him, what would he say?” Parents usually answer that they love their child and that they assume the child will say that his parents love him — but that wasn’t the question. The question was, “What does your child think you feel about him?” If he thinks you feel that he’s a difficult kid, that might be part of the reason why he’s behaving the way he is.
When you try to make him feel good, respected, and needed, this can help avoid a lot of the macho outbursts. “I need you. I depend on you. I love being around you.” Once he feels better about himself, he’ll feel less need to try to stand up for himself and control things.
Practical Strategies for Sensitive Children
As far as possible, it’s important not to challenge sensitive children. When you confront a sensitive child, blame him, argue with him, point out what he’s doing wrong, or minimize something that’s important to him, his feelings of hurt go far beyond what you would expect and he’s often unable to handle them. Of course, all children are hurt when criticized or blamed, but as much as many suggest silk-glove treatment for all children, aside from not always being practical, it’s often unnecessary. Most children handle a low dose of criticism just fine. It’s those children that can’t handle it who need special care.
My usual advice to parents of sensitive children is: Talk to them nicely. Prepare them for challenging situations in advance, before their emotions have a chance to kick in. Tell them how much it will mean to you if they do whatever it is, adding that they don’t have to do it. Most times, you’ll see them come through.
Parents are often skeptical, but the truth is that sensitive children, when handled gently, behave very differently in response. They need respect, emotional stability, and to feel good about themselves — and when you provide that, you can almost always predict how they will respond. (It’s also important to note that while this approach works for sensitive children, it won’t necessarily succeed with other children, many of whom actually do better when told specifically what, when, and how to do whatever it is.)
Dealing with Sibling Dynamics and Attention
With an oldest child, it’s easier to make them feel special. But even if a child is not the oldest, treating a child the way he needs to be treated usually won’t cause jealousy. Subconsciously, the other children understand that this child is more difficult and needs certain privileges or treatment. We have to be careful not to give the appearance of favoritism, but often parents are more concerned about jealousy than they need to be.
This means that you should try to spend more time with sensitive children. Children often compete for your attention and the fragile types can find it harder to push themselves forward, or to deal with others getting attention they want for themselves. If you can give them some private time, that might be all they need.
Don’t use that time to lecture them about all the things they should be correcting. Just make them feel good and teach them to identify with the positive aspects of their characters. You can be open with a child who’s having behavioral issues, but try not to talk about them too often. You don’t want him to identify with his “issues.” You can give him incentives, work out a program, but don’t make this the crux of your relationship.
Setting Boundaries and Maintaining Connection
On the flip-side, you shouldn’t tolerate the things such children do wrong. However hard it is to find the balance between treating a child very well while not tolerating their wrongdoings, parents have to take care not to fall for their shtick or give in to their demands. Don’t allow even the most sensitive child to control you. You can stick to your ground without putting a child down. “I love you dearly, and care for you and want you to be happy. This is not going to work. Let’s see if we can come up with something else.” You can say it nicely, but very firmly. It’s important for the child to know that you’re in control.
Often, a child will tantrum or throw things because they want to get something. It might be the way they’ve gotten things in the past. Be careful that they don’t gain anything from unacceptable behavior.
In fact, if a child hurts you or breaks something, you’re allowed to let him know that you feel hurt. “I’m sure you didn’t mean it. I feel very hurt.” You can express your feelings without blaming anyone. Don’t be afraid of your child.
There’s one thing I want to be very clear about: Never get into a fight with your child. Even if he has behaved unacceptably, your relationship with him in other areas doesn’t have to be affected. It’s not easy, but take care not to break off the connection entirely just because he did something wrong, even very wrong. Sensitive children don’t deal well with that. If you get personal with him, it will be harder for him to climb down from his tree.
Recognizing the Real Child and Encouraging Growth
When your child tries to do better, when he comes to give you a kiss after a blowup, try to see that as the real child. He’s the child who wants to feel that he’s good, who wants to do the right thing, who wants to feel loved — and yes, also, the child who feels sorry. With that perspective, you can tell him, “I love when you kiss me. I know that you love me. I was hurt by the way you spoke to me. Please don’t do that again.” But don’t reject his overtures.
Having and maintaining the right perspective is so important. I once heard a principal say that he accepted a child to his school thinking that he seemed a good kid, but when the child misbehaved, he “saw him in his true colors.” That’s a terrible way to look at a child. Don’t allow a child’s misbehavior to paint the picture of who he really is. He’s really a good kid who made a mistake. If you think of his bad moments as his “true colors,” that’s what he will feel about himself too. Children are good. People are good, even if we have to deal with their challenges.
Help your child feel good about his progress. Let him tell you about his struggles and his successes, and reward him for his accomplishments. Show him that you’re being patient with him. Encourage him. Don’t let him feel that you’re frustrated that he slipped up again. Help him believe that he can overcome his difficulties.
Parenting as Children Grow Older
As children grow older and become more independent, the dynamics of a parent-child relationship change and naturally parents have less leverage. With younger children who need you more,
