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Behavior Tips

Home Behavior Tips
When I Am Fussy or Won’t Stop Crying

When I Am Fussy or Won’t Stop Crying

  • At Home

I may be saying, “I am feeling out of sorts, off my routine.” Or I may be saying, “I feel tension in the house.” I may simply be saying, “My body is growing and changing and I am extra sensitive…

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Visiting My Parent in the Hospital

Visiting My Parent in the Hospital

  • Hospital or Clinic

When I am getting ready to visit my parent in the hospital, I may be saying, “I want to be with my injured parent, but I need your support.” I may be a child who is easily overwhelmed or very…

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Help Me with New Rules and Limits

Help Me with New Rules and Limits

  • At Home

Age-appropriate rules let me know what to expect, which helps me to feel safe, secure, and in control. It is important that you set limits and are consistent in enforcing rules with me now. You can help me cope with…

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When I Hit or Bite

When I Hit or Bite

  • At Home

I may be saying, “Sometimes I’m angry,” or “I have so many feelings inside and no words for them that I lose control.” What you can do to support me is stop me firmly and gently. Tell me “It’s not…

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If I Squirm, Cry, or Fuss at the Hospital

If I Squirm, Cry, or Fuss at the Hospital

  • Hospital or Clinic

When I am in the hospital to visit my injured parent and I squirm, cry, or fuss, I may be saying, “I am hungry, tired, or I have been here too long and I need a break. The tension in…

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When I Go Back to Earlier Behaviors

When I Go Back to Earlier Behaviors

  • Deployed

When I go back to earlier behaviors, such as wanting a bottle again after I have been drinking from a cup, or refusing to use the potty after I have been successful at potty training, what I may be saying…

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If I Am Restless at the Hospital

If I Am Restless at the Hospital

  • Hospital or Clinic

When I am in the hospital to visit my injured parent and I am restless, or start to get into things, what I may be saying is, “This is a little space with too many rules. I’m tired of ‘be…

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When Parent Reminders Make Me Sad

When Parent Reminders Make Me Sad

  • Deployed

I may be saying that sometimes I need a break from thinking about the separation, and I have other things to think about and do. To support me, please understand that my need for “staying-connected” activities may change from day…

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If I Hesitate with My Injured Parent

If I Hesitate with My Injured Parent

  • Hospital or Clinic

When I hesitate to look at or talk to my injured parent or, I shy away from touching, hugging, or kissing my injured parent, I may be saying, “It’s been a long time. I need time to reconnect.” You can support…

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When I Act Like I Don’t Care

When I Act Like I Don’t Care

  • Deployed

You may wonder about how I am feeling when I giggle, laugh, and play even though my parent is deployed. What I may be saying is, “Even though my Mom is gone, there is so much for me to see and do and…

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If I Peek, Look Away, then Peek Again

If I Peek, Look Away, then Peek Again

  • Hospital or Clinic

When I peek at my injured parent in the hospital bed, then look away, then peek again, what I may be saying is, “I’m starting to reconnect.” You can support me by giving me time. I will let you know…

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If I Act Afraid of My Returning Parent

If I Act Afraid of My Returning Parent

  • Home Again

When I cry, hesitate, pull away from/act afraid of my parent who has just come home, what I may be saying is, “I need time to get to know you again and to feel safe and at ease with you.”…

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When I Stare at Someone’s Scarred Face

When I Stare at Someone’s Scarred Face

  • Hospital or Clinic

When I stare at someone’s scarred face or prosthesis, what I may be saying is, “I’m trying to understand and learn about something that is new to me. I’m worried something like that might happen to me.” You can support…

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If a Lot of Noise Makes Me Upset

If a Lot of Noise Makes Me Upset

  • Home Again

When I cry and get fussy when there is a lot of noise and/or people around, I may be saying, “It is upsetting—hard for me to take it all in.” You can support me by keeping my daily routines consistent.…

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When I Ask a Question

When I Ask a Question

  • Hospital or Clinic

What I may be saying is, “I’m curious. I’m ready for more information.” You can support me by answering in simple words I can understand. “That machine helps Mommy breathe.”

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When I Look Confused

When I Look Confused

  • Veteran

I may be saying, “What’s going on here?” You can support me, especially when you first leave military service and so much is changing, by telling me what is happening in clear and simple words. “Mommy is coming home and…

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