What to do when your child is feeling down

Funny, adorable, and wild; those are the first things that come to mind when thinking about kids, those little creatures who run around and spend the day sleeping and playing. Children seem to enjoy life more than us adults, sometimes we wish to go back to the good old days and experience our childhood again – when we didn’t have to worry about a thing and we didn’t have many responsibilities to balance. And yet, something we tend to forget is that children are more likely to experience mood swings than adults because they are still getting used to emotions and learning to control them. It’s hard for them to take action concerning their frustrations because of their change in hormone levels. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what those small kids think and feel. Daily, a child can go happy over a toy and then extremely sad over a broccoli meal. As a parent and guardians, we don’t want to see children sad and frustrated, and we have instead of the urge to cheer them up and bring the smile back to their faces. In this article, we’ll explore some ways to cheer them up.

1. Give Them a Thoughtful Gift:

You can’t go wrong on this one, everybody loves gifts! That thrill created by a wrapped box is exhilarating. Children love surprises! And we enjoy watching their innocent reaction while unpacking a gift and seeing their excitement when they find an unexpected present waiting for them. Fun surprises are a great way to replace your child’s anxiety and sadness with happiness and joy. It doesn’t have to be something luxurious – it can be something with an emotional value, a hand-made gift, a toy your child has been longing for, or simply cooking their favorite meal.  But of course, if you feel like it’s time to splurge, you can go for something bigger as a bike or a beautiful girly dollhouse. Be careful of course not to do so too often, children are cunning and they might fake their mood just to receive a gift.

2. Listen to Them:

Don’t underestimate your child’s feelings, it might not be just a phase. Speak to your child and give them the chance to speak up. Let them talk to you and tell you what’s bothering them. Sometimes the most trivial thing for us adults can be of great importance to a kid. Be a good listener to your child and show him that you do so by using his words. Be considerate and gentle when you talk to him and don’t rush him, it’s essential to let the child feel important. In addition, the act of listening will strengthen your relationship and bring you both closer to each other.

3. Compliment Them:

Show them that you care and that you appreciate having them around. Compliments are the best medicine to show your kids that you do pay attention to them and that you love them. It’s also a good way to boost their confidence and increase their self-love. Compliment their look; tell them how beautiful they are, and how wonderful they look in their new outfit. Compliment their work as well, tell them they did a good job and that you are proud of them, that you appreciate their hard work and you encourage them to do their best. Praise them whenever they do something right and gently correct them when they do something wrong. Complement them whenever they are helpful and obedient and don’t forget to tell them how much you love them and that no matter what you’ll keep loving them and protecting them.

4. Play Together:

When your child is feeling down, the best thing you can do is keep him company and give him the certitude that you’re on his side and you’ll be there no matter what. Playing with children will remind them that they’re not alone and that you love and care about them. This might help them forget about the problem, ease their anxiety and sometimes encourage them to talk it out and share their thoughts with you. You can play with toys inside or outside the house while boosting their engagement in physical activities or perhaps join them in a video game. If possible, provide your kids with tactile materials such as play dough and clay to ease their minds and work through their emotions. Some experts have highlighted that, just like adults, kids can get rid of their stress when using activities and objects that engage the senses.

5. Go for A Walk:

Staying at home can induce more sadness and anxiety in children. Some exercises and fresh air can benefit them and reduce their stress levels. Take your kid for a walk in the park, enjoy the breeze and sunlight, or allow him to ride his bike around and have fun. Walks can be a good distraction for children.