Family guidance

Press, 23 March 1988, Page 18

Family guidance

Sir,—Apparently the: Child and Family Guidance I Centre (March 17) is commonly consulted atdut sleep problems, bedwetting, and temper [tantrums. Familiep with serious problems such : ap violence and [ sexual abuse qf [ children desperately, need) the help of; this) group of' professiorials; yet they) spend some of their limited time rein-1 (forcing parents’ [unrealistic ex-) pectations and training healthy infants o behave in inappropriate) to their personal needs. There is a need for more education abcut the realities)of child development, and mope; aware-' ness of stipport groups that pro-' vide understanding tind sympathy for parents’ feelings without aiming to change (the child.: Erratic ileep, bed-wetting, 1 and tantrums can be tirihg, incon-! [ venieht, or embarrassing, but in' my I experience, the real stress comes from the parents’ conviction j that the child’s behaviour is abnormh J Knowing that many “difficu t”|) behaviour) ! patterns are no?rtipi in the early years makes a surprising difference to their emotional!impact;on parents. -4 yours, etc., | | I I CATHERINE GLtJE. Marc i| 21,i [l9BB. j j