Family Moments – Breaking Habits

Do you have a child that has developed a bad habit?

Do you wonder how you can break him from the habit without breaking their spirit?

As parents when we see our children developing bad habits such a sucking their thumbs or biting their nails we want to break them from that habit right away.  Our immediate reaction is, ’stop sucking your thumb’ or ‘don’t do that!’  Although we truly love our children, we may react in a harsh or negative way when we see them doing what we feel is wrong.

What we must keep in mind is that habits usually develop as a way to deal with an uncomfortable situation.  When we notice our child sucking their thumb or perhaps biting their nails or some other habit instead of reacting, focus on what they are feeling or doing.  Be sure to hug them and calmly ask them what is on their mind.

If you calmly approach your child, you will help in breaking the habit sooner while preserving their spirit.