Page 15 - Instruction for Parents

An Unhappy Child

An Unhappy Child

It is very close to my heart to talk about this topic. Whenever I
go into the street, I come across unhappy children and youths.
Personally, it cuts me deeply to the heart and every time the
sight of it brings water to my eyes. My silent question: „What
may have broken in this young heart?“ Few people can under-
stand this tragedy.

An unhappy child is truly an unhappy child. – Mother, father,
you have to sense when your child is unhappy, and you must
not ignore it. On no account must you think: „It will pass. – It
might not be that bad.“ If a child is unhappy, something lies
very deep, deep in his soul.

Examples: The child has gone through something that had
quite an impact on him – has been desperately
disappointed (a child always trusts completely) –
his confidence has been shamefully abused – the
child is constantly falling between two stools
(divorced parents). – The child hears from his
neighbours or on his way to school something
harmful about his parents, siblings – perhaps
something that his parents have kept secret so far.
– Maybe the child, young or old, has been up to –
gone through something himself which he is re-
ally ashamed of or fears to talk about. He may
think: „Well, I’d better keep quiet about it, other-
wise I will be in for it or there will be punishment,
perhaps even smacks.“ Maybe the child thinks:
„Simply cover everything up as far as possible, let
everything function as perfectly as possible so
that no one will notice anything at all.“

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