Kids & Parenting

---

What Is The Proper Amount Of Security For A Child?
© 2015

by


Stephen A. Peterson


Open any newspaper, turn on any television or radio, one will be presented news or programming wherein threats to our security is brought to our attention. How much concern should parents/caregivers display for their child? How are parents/caregivers able to discern if they are giving their child the right amount of security, or too much, or even too little? No formula will fit all children as each child is different with respect to their security needs, just as they differ in every other need. A parent/caregiver will be able to determine their child’s needs with respect to security by observing or being observant of their behavior.

As most parents/caregivers know, learning to be safe is key. First, a child must be taught danger threats. That is, what are threats to their security. For example, getting into the car of strangers, good/bad touch and so forth. Second, teaching the child who they may trust to report threats to other than the parent/caregiver—police, teachers, pastors and likewise. Third, letting the child know you have an open door policy and will listen to and take seriously what he or she tells you.

A child who is not receiving enough security to meet her/his needs when he/she tends to be shy, demanding, clinging, fearful. Such a child needs constant attention to keep from someone else. Such a child is found to feel insecure and require more security then he/she has been receiving. When there is too much security for a child, he/she will demonstrate it by a poised, happy outlook on life which will crumble when anything new, different, or strange is introduced into their life. Neither type of child has a proper amount of security for their needs.

The child with an adequate degree of security, by contrast, is happy and is well adjusted to all types of people and situations. Such a child remains unruffled in emergencies, and accepts the good with the bad with equal poise. A child may occasionally be upset when props are knocked out from under her/him and he/she finds her-/him-self falling flat on their face. However, such a child quickly picks her-/him-self up, brush off the dust and is ready to deal with the next challenge with a happy smile and the confident attitude of “I can win this time”, “I can do this”.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR