Children sometimes keep secrets from parents, and while privacy is great and should be respected, sometimes these secrets can hurt people, and the child keeping the secret is the most in danger. This often happens because of predators. Here are some ways that you can find out if your child is keeping a secret, so you can keep them safe.
Children often hide things from their parents for many reasons. Some kids like to keep secrets. They believe it is theirs to keep, and no one else, not even their parents, should know about them. Some hide things because they are ashamed of it. It does not occur to them that they are just kids. They will hide it if they think whatever they did was shameful.
Many kids hide things because they are unsure how their parents will react. The parents might not be supportive. Or it could even be that the parents will force them to do something they do not want to. Fear of punishment is another reason many kids hide stuff from their parents.
However, these secrets and the lengths kids go to in order to hide them can be bad for them. Who knows what they are hiding, or what they might do to protect their little secrets. It is a risky situation, and as parents, you need to get to the bottom of these secrets.
So how can you do so? Keep reading to find out.
Talk to Them Directly
The best way to learn whether or not your kid is hiding something is by asking them directly. However, this is also one of the riskiest ways to find out what they are hiding. Even a single mistake or slip from your end could ruin whatever trust you wanted to establish with them. That might also result in a negative reaction from your kid.
When initiating the conversation, try to make them as comfortable as possible. Do not scare or intimidate them in any way. Being aggressive is also not an option. The slightest sign of aggression from your end, and your kid might become even more protective of whatever secret they are keeping.
It is also important that you phrase your questions nicely. Instead of using persuasive language like ‘tell me’ or ‘what are you hiding’, ask them in a caring manner. Replace the assertive words and phrases with something more caring like ‘would you like to talk?’ or ‘is everything okay?’ Child psychologists repeatedly ask parents to emphasize these things. The kids need to see that you genuinely care and are on their side. Only then will they open up.
Ask Their Friends
A 2011 research funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research shows that kids often open up to their friends. They share their deepest secrets with them, especially that of trauma and rejection.
You can get in touch with your kid’s friends, and ask them about the situation if your kid does not open up to you.
Once again, make sure that you are not being assertive. This time around, show the friends that you are asking these questions because you are worried about your child. It is the care and concern that is making you ask these questions, and not rage or anger. Treat the overall conversation like a friendly chat and not an interrogation.
Consult a Psychic
Consulting a psychic might sound unusual to you, but there is more than meets the eye. Psychics can consult energies that surround us, even if we cannot connect with them. Checking Tarot cards or crystal ball reading are not the only services they provide. You can also talk to them about your child and they will be able to tell you if there is anything to worry about. For the skeptics out there, law enforcement has been known to successfully get help from psychics.
If you are still skeptical, you can consult an online psychic instead of meeting one physically. They can provide the same results even if you are not sitting in front of them. You do not need to divulge all the details about your child if you don’t feel safe about doing that.
Just make sure to go through the user reviews before requesting their service. The reviews will tell you which sites are genuine and which are scam psychics or ball readers.
Ask Their Teachers
Asking your kid’s teachers is a good idea for two reasons.
Firstly, the teachers are with your kid at school for almost half the day. They might have noticed something off about your child too. Or it could be that they are completely normal at school, but are only indifferent at home.
Secondly, from their teachers, you can learn about their exam scores and academic performance. Your child might be upset because they are doing badly in school.
Either way, you should consult with your child’s teachers and hear their opinions regarding the matter. As teachers, they will surely share their valuable insights with you and can even suggest to you how to deal with the situation properly.
See If They Open Up to Their Closest People
Your child’s close friend can be anyone. It could be their teacher, neighbor, or even the school librarian. As their parent, you should have some knowledge regarding that. And if you do, go talk to that person directly. Even if your child shares nothing with others, they are sure to have shared it with them.
After you have done all this, you are likely to find out what your kid has been hiding. In case you still fail to do so, you can take professional help from a child psychologist. However, know that this might intimidate them. So try to uncover the mystery before you have to take drastic action.