Childhood BFRBs, Pitfalls for Parents to avoid

Principal pitfalls for parents: things to avoid if you don’t want that quick-sand sinking feeling!

No one is to blame; it is nobody’s fault, not yours and not your child’s and not the school’s. Your child may complain of bullying, but this may be due to sensitivity levels associated with the condition itself. Listen, nod, hug, but do your best not to judge.

Try not to be angry about fibs or lies, which sometimes go alongside childhood BFRBs; this may be caused by limited impulse control. Your child may worry that the truth is intolerable, or be more inclined to say things that people want to hear. There are hormonal and chemical causes; your child is not deliberately being dishonest. Lying may become a lot worse in puberty, but generally subsides in adulthood.

Of course you’ll need to ask your child about their BFRB, but please only ask them once a day, and at a specific time, in private. This chat need not last more than fifteen minutes. If your child refuses to speak to a professional, bear in mind that they would probably also refuse to visit the doctor or get immunised. Some decisions do need to be made on behalf of the child but do respect their privacy.