20 Signs Your Child Needs More Emotional Support

Every child has highs and lows, but sometimes, they show signs that they need emotional support. Identifying these signs helps parents provide comfort to their children. Below are 20 warning signs that your child needs more emotional support from you.

1. Your Child Avoids Their Favorite Activities

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A sudden disinterest in hobbies or sports that they were once passionate about indicates stress and anxiety. They find it hard to enjoy anything that used to bring them happiness. 

2. Your Child Have Some Trouble Sleeping

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Suppose they sleep too much or too little; this can signal emotional distress. They may be unable to settle down or have been resorting to sleep to escape their realities. 

3. Your Child Experience Mood Swings

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If they’re experiencing a rapid emotional cycle of high spirits, low moods, and rage, then there are probably some feelings they can’t handle. Often, this is the external expression of an inward disarray that a child doesn’t fully understand. 

4. Your Child Gets Frustrated Easily

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When tantrums occur over trivial things, it could mean that the person is fed up or hopeless at the moment. It could also be a sign that they need help controlling themselves as they are about to burst out. 

5. Your Child Avoids Family and Friends

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When a person begins to withdraw from people they generally enjoy being with, it could suggest they feel lonely. This could be a subtle call for help and a need for quality time. 

6. Your Child Always Complains Having Bodyaches

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This can often be the case with some medical conditions, such as frequent headaches or stomachaches, which can be psychosomatic. The child may not be capable of expressing clear emotions, so their body shows the signs instead. 

7. Your Child Seeks Constant Reassurance

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If they constantly ask if everything is all right, they may surely be experiencing self-doubt. This reassurance is indicative of a search for comfort. 

8. Your Child Shows Unusual Aggression

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Their way of dealing with hard-to-explain emotions is sometimes to act out more than usual. Anger, for instance, can be used to disguise feelings of fear or sadness that they cannot convey.  

9. Your Child Puts Themselves Down Often

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If they frequently engage in negative self-talk, they might feel out of place or lack self-confidence. Negative self-talk may mean they’re occupied with negative thoughts and not being “good enough” for the world. 

10. Your Child Feels More Anxious

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When new fear develops, it indicates that stress is creeping in. They’re more likely to feel more vulnerable as they grow more anxious. This increased anxiety might mean that they’re struggling with something more than what appears on the surface. 

11. Your Child Eats More or Less Than Usual

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There are periods when some children may stop eating more than usual or start eating less to manage stress or sadness. They could be eating less to suppress or indulge in emotions. 

12. Your Child is Struggling to Focus on Homework

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Even a disciplined child may have problems concentrating if they are experiencing a barrage of emotions. Sometimes, their feelings can become so overwhelming that focus at any point can be nearly impossible. 

13. Your Child Cries More Frequently

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Anxious children or depressed ones may also be in tears for no apparent reason. This kind of crying could be because of feelings they find hard to explain or understand. 

14. Your Child Always Have “Bad Days”

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Every day is filled with struggles, which may indicate that there’s too much emotional baggage to carry. Feeling low for too long without any external input may be a warning that they need help. 

15. Your Child Refuses to Talk About Their Day

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If your child refuses to talk about school or friends, they may feel hurt, doubtful, and unsure. If they’re unable to open up, this means that whatever is going on around them is too much for them to handle. 

16. Your Child Expresses Guilt or Blames Themselves

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They blame and show guilt due to their own perceived or actual shortcomings. This self-blame may suggest that they’re facing internal struggles. 

17. Your Child Seeks Distance and Independence

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It’s normal for growing children to be more inclined to seek distance and independence. Pushing you away may also mean they have problems and are trying to deal with them without involving anybody. The need for “me time” also suggests difficulty voicing their need for help. 

18. Your Child Reaches For Comfort Items Often

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Turning to one’s favorite toy or blanket more often than before means that one needs more comfort. These objects provide a sense of security when they’re in a situation that makes them uncomfortable and insecure. 

19. Your Child is Afraid Being Alone

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When they cling to you or don’t want to be left alone, they may be feeling insecure or scared. This need to get close could signify that they need reassurance and comfort. 

20. Your Child Shows Distrust in Others

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Children who look cautious and on guard can also feel much pain or tension. Trust issues may be their defense mechanism against emotional suffering. 

• Tags:
• Parenting
• Emotional Support
• Family