(1065) A distressed child

The third thought that came is: if a child is distressed, parents should eliminate the stress, if at all possible.

If a child suddenly
1. wets the bed, after years of dry beds
2. talks in his or her sleep, raising the voice, argues, shouts
3. grinding his or her teeth regularly
4. screams and wakes up because of nightmares in the middle of the night
5 attempts to sit up or struggle physically in bed while asleep
6. sleep walks

It is then up to the parents to intervene. My youngest, Elizabeth, was dry in bed since age eight months. During Kindergarten she started wetting the bed and screaming in the middle of the night. I found out later that the Chinese teacher was picking on her because she was too talkative in class. I went to talk to the principal and requested a change from Chinese to English stream. Subsequently I reregister her in a school that taught only Malay and English.

The abrupt change brought about an immediate result. No more manifestation of distress at night. Her home room teacher in the English stream was an Indian lady who happens to be a Pastor's wife, loving, kind, sensitive... She made my daughter her special helper and channelled the latter's boundless energy into the betterment of the class. She hugged my daughter daily for a job well done, praised her lavishly and guided the child lovingly.

Today my Elizabeth is a happy, well adjusted, friendly and caring young lady. She neither reads nor writes in Chinese. Guess there is no earthly reason why she needs to go to China to work.