Overcoming a Fear of Snakes

You might have a great relationship with your child, but there may then be a point where your child suddenly stops talking to you. You may think that you have done something wrong and that your child will cheer up. But there may be other surprising reasons why your child is not talking to you.

Don't Take It Personally

The first step is to not take the situation personally. If you take it personally and act very upset or offended, this will make your child even less willing to talk to you. If your child does not want to talk to you, it may be because he or she is tired of the topics that you often bring up. For example, discussing your child's feelings has its place, but this can become tiresome when every conversation revolves around this. Think of neutral topics you and your child could discuss, such as music you both like.

It can be difficult to have conversations with children and teens because topics that are considered important and interesting to adults are often not the same topics interesting to them. Also, there is a natural tendency for your child to want to achieve more independence as he or she enters adolescence.

Look For Signs Of Complete Withdrawal

If your child continues to talk to his or her friends, the withdrawal from you is likely to be perfectly healthy. However, if your child becomes withdrawn from both you and his or her friends, this can be a cause for concern. You will need to find out if your child is being bullied or has experienced some form of trauma. Some children are unwilling to tell their parents, so pay close attention to signs of unexplained injuries. Your child might fake an illness to avoid going to school so he or she is not bullied. You may notice a sudden shift in your child's eating habits. Also, you may notice that your child is no longer sleeping at night. Since your child might feel humiliated over what he or she is going through, you might need to play a game where you guess what is bothering your child and ask him or her if the answer is "hot" or "cold," with hot answers being the ones closer to the truth. 

Consult With A Specialist

Given the individualized situation you are facing, it is important to speak with a psychologist specialized in child behavioral issues. This professional will be able to evaluate the situation to determine if your child's behavior is normal or if he or she is engaging in behavior that may require treatment.

For professional help, contact specialists such as Lazaroff & Lazaroff - Beatrice S. Lazaroff, Ph.D./Jerry M. Lazaroff, Ph.D.