Practice What You Preach
Many sensitive children have at least one sensitive parent. If you are overly sensitive to slights and thoughtless or rude comments that come your way, work on changing your reaction. You can be certain that your child is watching.

Help children understand that unhappy kids can be unkind
Begin to teach your child that what other people say has more to do with that person than with him (or her.) Elementary school aged children can usually understand that people sometimes say mean things when they are unhappy or upset with themselves.

Remove Poison Arrows
Teach your children that hurtful words are like poison arrows and that they need to remove them as soon as possible before they get under their skin. Get in the habit of saying "poison arrow" or "remove the stinger," when someone says something unkind or hurtful to you, then act as though you're actually pulling a poison arrow or stinger out of your skin. Have your child practice doing the same.

Teach children relaxation and self-calming skills
Children become more resilient to stressful situations when they can mindfully quiet and relax themselves and interrupt the fight-or flight response.

About the author: Dubbed “The Dream Maker” by People magazine, Patti Teel is a former teacher and the author of The Floppy Sleep Game Book, which gives parents techniques to help their children relax, deal with stress, or fall asleep. Visit Patti online at www.pattiteel.com to subscribe to her free newsletter.

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