Fussing #2—Physical Reasons
There is always a reason that a child is fussy. Many times, it is a physical cause. A mother or father would do well to get down on
the child’s level—actually squat down to be eye level, look her in the eye, and
ask what the problem was. Maybe the
child doesn’t even know why, and a loving parent’s probing questions will help
both figure it out!
My Favorite Idea:
1. I always felt so bad when I had been frustrated with a fussy
child, only to find out later that he had been coming down with something! Gradually, I learned to look for that
possibility when a child became extra fussy.
“How is he acting?” my Pediatrician would always ask me, engraining in
me the skill of recognizing a change in the child that signaled sickness. I would boost my child’s water intake, give
some Vitamin C, and insist on more handwashing!
Just last winter, I was so tired of all the sickness in my home! In fact, I’d had enough of grumpy, draggy
kids who were getting or getting over sickness!
So I took drastic measures! I
took Emergency Control of the situation and announced to my family: I am now “Sergeant Mom,” and until we get
control of this situation, we are going to do the following:
1—Bedtime will be strictly enforced. No exceptions.
2—Everyone is to drink a full glass of water before they eat a
bite of any meal.
3—Wash your hands thoroughly before each meal. Line up at the sink; Sing the Washing
hand song entirely as you wash (ABC’s works); Show them to Dad or I.
4—Absolutely no mucous-producing foods,
5—Wash your pillowcase each time we wash, and
6—Vitamin C daily.
“Any questions?” I demanded. My family was pretty
shocked—this was new and even sort of fun to have a Sergeant for a mom!
And they understood well the need to get over the sicknesses which had
disrupted our household so much. So the family cooperated, and shortly,
returned to good health and good cheer!
Ideas Real Families have Tried:
2. Provide an extra snack!
Growing children with small stomachs may need smaller helpings of food
more often than just mealtime.
Elizabeth noticed that mid-day, her kids would suddenly be fussy
and tired. She didn’t want to put them down for a nap yet, and felt
stumped. But then she discovered that they needed a little snack.
Elizabeth resisted the urge to choose junky snacks, as those kind are usually
not as healthy and more expensive. She tried to stick to mostly fruits
and vegetables, to help curb fussiness.
3. Watch to see if your child is getting enough sleep. An
earlier bedtime may help the grumpies.
Ruthie discovered that if she turned out the lights ½ hour before
bedtime, in the front of the house, everyone would head to the bedrooms. She’d even begin her bedtime storybook, then
pause at a good part, to see if everyone had brushed and gone to the
bathroom. If not, she’d have that child
grab his toothbrush (or floss) and come do it while he listened. She might pause the book a little later, ask
if they wanted more of the story, (Yes! They did!) and insist they lie down to
listen. This approach helped fussy kids
get to bed earlier!
4. Lighten his day. Race
your child, when some chore must be done. Or, figure out a way to make it
a game, to help the mundane be more exciting!
Save up some good jokes, to tell during a round of picking weeds.
“Did anyone have anything funny happen to them today?” is a good conversation
starter at the dinner table, especially if you can tell one, and laugh at
yourself. Use Music! Turn on something upbeat or fun to lighten
the mood and bring energy. Sing a fun
song! It is hard to be sad when you are singing or listening to something
happy!
The Allreds made up a song that went, “I can choose to be happy
or be sad!” It was a reminder to someone in a bad mood, that the mood was
his choice! Sheila would then try to do
something happy with the rest of the family.
It’s hard to stay grumpy, she found, when you are playing hide and seek
or dancing together.
5. Find a New Interest—Some bright kids simply can not stand to
be bored, and with nothing to do, will fuss! Introducing a new activity may
help, and bring positive attention.
Hillary noticed that young Jacob fussed when he was bored! With nothing to do, he fussed to get her
attention. She realized that his little
boy muscles needed to be busy, or his bright brain needed to be working on
something! She scooted him outdoors more
often and encouraged him to try a new skill on the monkey bars. She explained to Jacob how to whistle and
praised his progress when he practiced that!
Another time, after a bout with fussing, she remembered that Jacob had
wanted to learn to juggle. Next time
Jacob is bored, she determined, I will pull out some bean bags or soft balls
and let him try his hand at juggling!
Ideas that worked well for you?
I would love to hear your good idea or experience with this topic. Please comment below.