Childhood Worries – When They Hate The Way They Look

Sometimes your kids drive you mad. Other times, you have that rush of panic as they’re hurtling down the drive on their skateboards. But it’s the times when they’re sad and feeling blue that really tug at your heartstrings. Our poor babies! Toddler ‘terrible twos’ are one thing, but when your child is in double figures sobbing about their appearance, you can feel really helpless. Kids can worry so much about how they look that it can make them unhappy and shy. So what can you do?

 

Skin Trouble

Skin breakouts occur as soon as puberty starts. Unfortunately, they can continue to occur for years, leaving marks, scars and a lack of confidence. If your child is suffering with acne, you can help. Gentle cleansers should be used as part of a twice daily skincare routine. Remind your kids that touching their skin is simply going to make it worse as there is bacteria on the fingertips. Find a skin specialist that can treat the worst cases. Don’t forget that a few diet adjustments can help balance the hormones that make skin break out.

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Teeth Trouble

Once the adult teeth are through, you may start to notice that they are not properly aligned. As they settle, you may also become aware that your teen’s oral hygiene routine leaves a lot to be desired! This is quite common for kids at this age. After all, everybody hates brushing their teeth. If you can smell a problem, get a dentist today who can check your child’s teeth. Peculiar oral odors can also indicate other serious health problems. Make sure you’re all keeping your regular check up appointments.

 

Hair Trouble

Greasy hair is one of the most common problems teenagers face. Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to flaky scalp. The ‘cradle cap’ they may have had as an infant may be gone, but dandruff-like symptoms can keep recurring. Baby shampoos can help here and may be a better option than the harsh anti-dandruff alternatives. Keep the scalp out of the sunlight, and keep the heat down on the hairdryer. If your kids suffer dry skin all over the body too, consult your doctor to see if there is a reason or a treatment to ease the problems.

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Fashion Trouble

Body shapes change a lot from pre-teen to eighteen. This can make finding fashion much trickier than you think. But there is another problem to consider. Fashion trends for teens change so rapidly that you may not be able to keep up! Other kids can be so unkind. Fashion is a big part of identity, and all children use it to help them try out different ideas. If you find your child is on the receiving end of harsh fashion critiques, why not give them a clothing allowance so they can start to shop for themselves?

 

All children go through those moments of shyness and fear that they’re not good enough. Sometimes all you can do is remind them you love them for who they are no matter what they look like. They’re beautiful inside and out.