Why is my kid a crybaby

They may naturally be more sensitive , more emotionally intense, or are still learning how to regulate their emotions. The goal should never be to eliminate their crying, though. We have to be careful about the messages we relay to our kids—and allow others to relay to them—about their crying, especially for those who are more prone to tears.

As Sarah Hamaker writes for the Washington Post :. Rode said that tears are often a response to intense emotions.

Relax and be free from anxiety Take back good sleep and help alleviate pain. What kids who cry a lot need is not shame but coping skills. After all, she figures, you wouldn't have brought up pain if there weren't going to be any! Instead, arrange a visit to the dentist's office to look at the equipment, go for a ride in the chair, and have her teeth counted.

That way, she'll be more relaxed and cooperative when she returns for her actual exam. Check whether you may be reinforcing the crying unintentionally. Some children come to believe that crying is the only way they can get their parents' or teachers' undivided attention. This is similar to children who misbehave because they'd rather be yelled at than ignored. If you think this may be what's going on, be sure to pay extra attention to your child when he's behaving the way you'd like, such as negotiating with another child who wants to play with his toys.

Teach your child alternatives to crying. For example, a preschooler will often focus on the emotions of a situation "She's mean. I hate her! This tends to perpetuate the crying. After acknowledging his intense feelings "I can see you're very angry at your sister" , help your child focus on the behavior that led up to the problem "Did she push you? Talk about what else he might have done besides bursting into tears.

Wait until he's calmed down, of course! Please consult a licensed mental health professional for all individual questions and issues. Butler was the host of the Mighty Mommy podcast for nine years from to She is the mother of eight children. Her experiences with infertility, adoption, seven pregnancies, and raising children with developmental delays have helped her become a resource on the joys and challenges of parenting.

You can reach her by email. Jump to Navigation. By Cheryl Butler Project Parenthood. July 12, We are currently experiencing playback issues on Safari.