Question
How can I handle it if my 3-year-old child always cries and screams, even at night? I want to know the reasons and what should I do?
Answer
Crying is a form of emotional message in humans, a way of communication and expression. When infants are born, their first act is to cry. A baby’s crying physically represents hunger, unmet desires, illness, discomfort, and so on; psychologically, it signifies sadness, frustration, fear, sorrow, dissatisfaction, remorse, venting, demands, a need for attention and care. If a child cries and screams because their desires are not met, parents should consider whether their wishes and demands are reasonable. Unreasonable demands should not be accommodated even if they can be met; reasonable ones should be met. If they cannot be met immediately, parents should patiently explain to the child. However, it is important to tell the child that crying and screaming will not get them what they want; they should stop crying before receiving anything.