Coping With Kids

Coping

With Your

Children

Raising children whether by yourself or with a partner can be challenging.

No one gave you an instruction book, let alone any training.

So how are you surviving?

Looking for answers?

Surviving Your Kids

Understanding your child's Stages of Development from an emotional, social and

identity perspective will help you understand why they are behaving the way they are

and how to help them grow and mature through each stage.

Erikson’s theory is a theory of stages. This principle consists of 2 main elements:

1. A personality develops according to predetermined steps that are maturationally set

2. Society is structured so that it is to invite and encourage challenges that arise during these stages.

According the Erikson each individual progress through 8 stages in their development. These stages go right throughout their life, from birth to death.

Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust

The positive outcome of this stage is to develop trust. He believed that if a child was cared for, all their needs met, loved and in a happy environment then they would develop a sense of trust. However, if it was the reverse and they were cared for by nervous anxious angry or incapable carers who didn’t meet their need then they would develop a sense of mistrust. Trust was considered by Erikson as the cornerstone of the child’s attitude towards life. Having developed a sense of trust would enable you to be more positive towards yourself and others.

Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

The positive outcome in this stage is a sense of independence. It is where they are able to practice their new skills and develop a sense of autonomy. If they aren’t allowed to do something or are pushed into things they aren’t able to do then they develop a sense of doubt or shame about their own abilities and then develop poor self confidence.

Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt

By the time a child has reached 4 yrs old they begin to have formulated a plan of action about ones desires and actions. They therefore if a positive outcome is reached in this stage have developed a sense of initiative. If carers encourage them to share and try their own ideas then they will develop this.

Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority

This occurs during the middle childhood years and is when they are learning academic skills such as reading writing and math’s, as well as their social skills. They develop a sense of industry through a sense of confidence concerning their own accomplishments and to not develop this is to have a sense of inadequacy and therefore a feeling of inferiority.

Stage 5: Identity vs. Role confusion

This is during the adolescence years and a positive outcome in this stage is the development of a sense of knowing who they are rather than a sense of worthlessness. Those who not develop a sense of identity may drift aimlessness. Those with a sense of identity are less likely to bow to peer pressure and are more in control of their own destiny and have a high level of self acceptance.

Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation

This stage covers the period of early adulthood when people are exploring personal relationships.

Erikson believed it was vital that people develop close, committed relationships with other people. Those who are successful at this step will develop relationships that are committed and secure.

Remember that each step builds on skills learned in previous steps. Erikson believed that a strong sense of personal identity was important to developing intimate relationships. Studies have demonstrated that those with a poor sense of self tend to have less committed relationships and are more likely to suffer emotional isolation, loneliness, and depression.

Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation

During adulthood, we continue to build our lives, focusing on our career and family.

Those who are successful during this phase will feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and community. Those who fail to attain this skill will feel unproductive and uninvolved in the world.

Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair

This phase occurs during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life.

Those who are unsuccessful during this phase will feel that their life has been wasted and will experience many regrets. The individual will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair.

Those who feel proud of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity. Successfully completing this phase means looking back with few regrets and a general feeling of satisfaction. These individuals will attain wisdom, even when confronting death.

We run an introductory workshop on a regular basis to help you called

Surviving Your Kids

A must do for all parents.

In the 2 hour workshop we will cover:

The Stages of Development
Who's behaviour are they copying?
What communication style are they using?
Questions and answers

At the conclusion of the workshop you will have new insights and skills to cope with

and survive your children.

More information will be sent to you about how to cope with your kids when

Social Synergy