The complete set of 198 Hints are available in paperback from the CYC-Net Press store.
Listen
In our work we always expect the needy, demanding, clamorous kids. As unmet needs impact on youngsters’ experiences of rejection and failure, their frustration and anger are compounded and their attention-seeking behaviour becomes distorted and aggressive. We dig deep to respond positively.
So we easily miss out the quiet kids.
These kids do not impose on our sight and hearing. In the absence of any significant relationships they have lost faith in themselves and in others. They no longer expect their world to be responsive or supportive; they have stopped asking for attention. And kids who have lost hope and feel that they have no influence in their own lives are at great risk of depression.
In our practice today our attention will be grabbed by the dramatic things that happen. We will be prepared to be just as alarmed by things that don’t happen at all. And we also know that to respond to signs of despair and depression is far harder than dealing with the fireworks.
