Dealing With Kids And Tantrums

There are so many negative nicknames these days in Hong Kong - for both parents and children. There are tiger mums, but also helicopter parents, eagle fathers, and monster parents. Youngsters have names such as Kong kids (particularly destructive and horrible) or "children of the three lows" - unable to take care of themselves, immature emotionally, and unable to face adversity. What we need to look at is how parents and children can maintain a more balanced, co-operative and trusting relationship.

Nancy, a working mother with two sons aged eight and one, is particularly stressed by her eldest.

"He always screams and yells at home even when his baby brother is sleeping. He is eight already! He is inconsiderate and will not help care for his brother. He cries whenever I try to teach him, even throwing his toys onto the floor."

So she blames herself for being an ineffective parent, and becomes even stricter with her son. It has become a vicious cycle: her son throws tantrums and she loses her temper, sometimes getting violent.

Nancy is not alone in her situation. Many Hong Kong parents resort to quick fixes to end tantrums. A long-term resolution is required.

Nancy needs to show her son love and care. She needs to find the root of the problems. When a baby cries, it is important to understand why: do they need to be fed or changed? The same applies to an eight-year-old.