Families Fidgety children need specific suggestions

Many parents are sometimes pushed to their limits in the context of raising children, especially when their children are full of energy, constantly restless and fidgety. Here the online consultation of the Federal Conference for Educational Counseling (bke) offers young people and parents fast, anonymous and professional support. But small changes in everyday life can help against the jitters and obstruction, reports the news agency "dpa", citing Ulric Ritzer-Sachs of the bke online consulting.

According to the expert, the parents of particularly restless children should ask themselves what the child's free time looks like and, where appropriate, provide concrete employment tips. "In front of the screen, it can not reduce excess energy," Ulric Ritzer-Sachs is quoted by the news agency "dpa". Extensive Rumtoben and sufficient outdoor stay should be ensured every day as possible. Here also the parents are asked. Announcements such as "Now be quiet," continued Ritzer-Sachs. With these children could not do much. Remedy, on the other hand, would be "offering concrete proposals".

In case of doubt to pediatrician
For example, parents could suggest to their children to sit down and read a book or paint a picture for ten minutes, Ritzer-Sachs recommends to the "dpa". Whether the children do this depends on their age, the expert continues. Here, "the rule of thumb is that children can sit still for about a minute each year". If, for example, children teeter on the chair while completing their homework, or if they change their seating position every five minutes, parents should simply accept this, according to Ritzer-Sachs. "If tasking still works, everything is wonderful," the expert is quoted by the "dpa". If in doubt, parents may also ask a pediatrician for advice if they feel that their child is noticeably fidgety and restless.

Counseling for parents and children
Since 2004, almost 66,000 young people and parents have turned to bke online consulting, with topics such as bullying, addictions, family disputes and divorces being particularly frequent. But "even taboo topics such as violence or abuse experiences are often easier to address online than in on-site counseling," reports the Federal Conference on Educational Counseling. The nationwide counseling service is available at www.bke-beratung.de or via the app "bke-beratung", whereby young people between the ages of 14 and 21 as well as parents of underage children can call on the advice free of charge. (Fp)