There are few better teachers than frustration
This is a guest post by Dave at Folkabout Baby.When your baby first tries anything, whether it’s crawling, walking, or talking, they won’t be very good at it. It’s a given. This, of course, is frustrating to them. They won’t be happy when they can’t do something, and their first reaction will be to cry about it.
But should you always intervene?
Now, I often advocate that you should always answer your child’s cries promptly, since you want them to build an understanding that the world is a positive, supportive place. If your child is frustrated, though, it’s better to let them cry through it and try to figure it out. When you leave them to get through the frustration on their own, you’re giving them an excellent chance to learn exactly what it is they’ve been struggling to do. Let’s say your little one is trying to pull themselves up to standing next to the coffee table. If you intervene, picking them up and putting them on their feet, you’re denying them the opportunity to learn how to do it on their own. It’s difficult to listen to your child’s cries. I know from experience how hard it is, and it never gets easier. It’s worth it, though, since your child is building confidence, independence, and skills. Frustration might upset them, but it will also help them grow. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
Dave Higgs-Vis is a father, a husband, a blogger, and a chef. If you enjoyed this post, you can find more like it at Folkabout Baby, a parenting blog dedicated to helping you to become a better parent and raise happier children. He’s also on Twitter as @FolkaboutBaby.
