Reading time: 3 minutes
Suitable for: Families of primary-age children
Read the secondary-age version of this QUICK READ
We can’t expect our children to always be happy. We all have patches when we feel grumpy.
Many children experience periods of sadness in their childhood, often after a specific event, such as a bereavement. But maybe your child seems to be moody all the time?
We can use lots of words to describe being moody. Your child might be grumpy, miserable, have a bad attitude, surly, always moaning, or never happy.
Finding out the cause of the behaviours you're seeing can help you decide how best to support them.
Looking for the reasons behind your child's behaviour
Children are often unhappy or anxious because of changes in their life. Your child may seem grumpy because they’re worried about moving home, starting school, or changes to your family situation. Puberty can also cause behavioural changes.
Talk to your child about what you’ve noticed. Often, they are just looking for a listening ear, so avoid trying to solve all their problems for them.
You can explain how their behaviour is making you feel and help them find better ways to express how they feel when they’re feeling worried about something.
Please login or register for FREE to continue reading this content
