Kids Crave Connection. They Settle for Attention.

Everyone wants to be loved and cared about.  We want people to love us for who we are and understand us.  This is a need that all humans have.  We all want to belong and feel accepted and connected.  Research on gang membership tells us that kids will join gangs for the sense of belonging and connecting that their family life is not giving.  Younger children do not have the capability to seek out gang membership or join another family so younger children learn that if they are not connected they will seek attention.  It does not matter if the attention is positive or negative.  Any attention from a parent is better than no attention at all. 

So connect with your child, don’t just settle for giving them attention.

-Mary Bartusek, Parent Educator