Belonging

    We all want to have the feeling that we belong. It’s who we are and how we were made. Each one of us has wanted to belong somewhere in our life. Whether that be in a friend’s group, family, or maybe even just wanting to belong to a single person. Even though we want to feel like we belong, we sometimes are deprived of it. 

 

    There are several ways that people will feel like they belong because having that feeling is a need. The first way is contact. Physical contact is important. Whether it be just a simple hand on a shoulder or a hug. Physical contact helps us have the feeling of belonging. An example of the lack of physical contact could be a hyper child. This child acts out, is rude, and can’t sit still whatsoever. There could be several reasons why this child is behaving this way. However, one way that you could attempt to solve this problem is to show the child some attention. Wrestle with them, hug them, or play with them. Give them kind physical contact and see what happens. Some parents have seen that their child becomes nicer to their siblings, acts out less, and is calmer. If you have someone that you know. Maybe a child of your own or a niece or nephew who is acting this way. Try spending some time with them. Give them that physical affection that they have been lacking. 

 

    When looking at your child’s behavior it’s important to look at what is going on in their life. Children want to know that they are safe. They want to know that nothing is going to hurt them. If there is something around them that they are afraid of they will act differently. They want protection and as a parent, it is our responsibility to be that protector. However, we as parents still need to let them take risks. These risks will help them grow as a person and help them develop into who they are meant to be. These risks, however, need to be safe to an extent. They need to be risks that will not kill the child but will try them. Without risks, the child’s brain will not develop the way that it is meant to. 

  

 Choices are hard to make sometimes but they are necessary. The choices we make give us a voice and a say in our lives. Without them, we would not progress. However, each of our choices have a consequence that goes with them. Whether it be good or bad. That is why we must take responsibility for our actions because the consequences that we get are because of the choice we made. It is important to help children understand this. They need to understand that they will naturally get something in return for the choice. Whether it be bad or good is up to the choice they made.