When kids cry wolf
By Dr Bill Maier “Mum, I don’t feel good. Can I stay home from school today?” It is a phrase some parents hear far too often. Some children get sick so often that their parents don’t know when to believe them. They’ll complain of a terrible stomach ache in the morning, but be running through the house by noon. Are they crying wolf , or crying for help? When children don’t want to go to school, there is usually a reason behind it. They could be avoiding a test they haven’t studied for, or trying to get out of doing homework. Maybe they enjoy being pampered, or crave mum’s attention. Or they could be avoiding a school bully. If your child has a habit of faking sickness, talk to him about what’s going on in his school. Ask him questions like: “Who do you enjoy hanging out with?” or “What’s your least favourite class?” You may open the window to a world of pressures you knew nothing about. From TODAY, Voices - Wednesday, 16-June-2010 ----- Related articles by Zemanta ...