Posted by
peripheral on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 6:08:14 AM
From My Perspective - - -
Why do children behave as they do? Are they concluding there is no hope
for them – no way out in terms of the box in which their lives are
being lived? Are they living in a context lacking in love, direction,
standards, discipline and motivation? If parents are not at home and/or
fully engaged with their children, what role model will they have or
choose to follow? Are children “left on their own” to cope with their
lives while parents are out of the home for employment or other
reasons? Do we think of children as people with emotional and
psychological needs – and - pain? Are children suffering as a
consequence of over-indulgence? Is there a failure to allow children to
be children and to develop in a more normal fashion? What is “normal”
for children in the 21st Century? Have you ever seen or dealt with a
child having a temper-tantrum? Have you ever dealt with a child who is
totally frustrated?
KidsHealth.org states the following: “Depression is the most
common mental health problem in the United States. Each year it affects
17 million people of all age groups, races, and economic backgrounds. As many as 1 in every 33 children may have depression;
in teens, that number may be as high as 1 in 8. Major depression is a
serious condition characterized by a persistent sad mood, feelings of
worthlessness or guilt, and the inability to feel pleasure or
happiness. Major depression typically interferes with day-to-day
functioning like eating and sleeping. A child with major depression
feels depressed almost every day. In kids, depression can appear as bad
moods or irritability that persists even if a child doesn't acknowledge
being sad. They can have low self-esteem, feel hopeless, and even have
problems sleeping and eating…Bipolar disorder, another type of mood
disturbance, is characterized by episodes of low-energy depression
(sadness and hopelessness) and high-energy mania (irritability and
explosive temper). Bipolar disorder may affect as many as 2% of kids.
More than 2 million adults have bipolar disorder, which often develops
in the late teen years and early adulthood. Research in kids is not
comprehensive, but experts believe that kids and teens with bipolar
disorder can experience a number of problems, including attention
deficit disorders, oppositional behavior disorders, anxiety, and
irritability in addition to changes in mood from depression to mania.”
Some of the above is assumption, but enough of it is factual to call
for alertness to the needs of those with whom we have contact.”
How one deals with symptoms and tell-tale indicators is vital. In the
same way, how one faces experiences and issues with Pain – mental,
physical or spiritual – is of great importance! Pain afflicts the body,
soul and spirit – impacting the mind, emotion and will. Most wish for a
remedy from the various pain experiences, but the quest is often in
vain. Why? Pain has a way of recurring in ones body, emotions and
mental state, as well as spiritual issues (measured often by the level
of commitment). One can get a sense of the opinions regarding Pain and
some form of management for it by looking at - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain.
Mental Pain often results in one sliding into Depression. It can be
caused by frustration due to life’s situations and circumstances; or
the inability to cope with the immediate; or the sense that there is no
way out; or the conclusion drawn that no one cares or understands
his/her plight – which leads to a conclusion that there is no need to
be alive anymore – and suicide becomes the possibility or viability and
option.
Proverbs 22:6 gives this guidance: “Train up a child in the way
he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” A
Psychologist many years ago commented on this verse and said: “Training
up a child in the way he should go is an Adult Decision…” Proverbs 29:15
states: “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself
brings shame to his mother.” As crime rates and behavioral issues
increase with our children, parents need to be more in tune with their
God-given role regarding their children. The role of the Father is also
a vital factor. Note the instruction of Ephesians 6:1-4,
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your
father and mother…that it may go well with you…Fathers, do not provoke
your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and
instruction of the Lord.” You can and should have a meaningful impact
and influence upon the Kids In Konfusion. Consider these things with
me!