A sign that the child lacks parental attention and its effects

Without realizing it, many parents do not knowingly or even deliberately ignore their children. This makes children less attentive and affectionate from their parents. These feelings can affect the development of the child, especially in the psychological development of the child. Then, how do you know if your child doesn't get enough attention from your parents?

A form of neglect that parents may take

Perhaps most parents do not realize that they have neglected their children. In fact, neglecting children is more than just not paying attention or affection.

However, it is also related to meeting all children's needs, from mental, physical, health and educational needs. Children who lack parental care and affection tend to experience various health problems, both physical and mental.

For example, a child who lacks attention may experience cognitive impairment, malnutrition, behavior problems, and even worse, can threaten the life and safety of themselves and others. Judging from the needs of your little one, you can practically ignore it when you do the following:

Physical negligence such as not meeting the child's basic needs, which include cleanliness, proper clothing, nutrition, or shelter.
Medical negligence, for example delaying the medical care a child needs.
Inadequate supervision by not caring for children at home, not protecting children from harm so that children feel unsafe, leaving children with unsuitable and adequate caregivers.
Emotional neglect is abuse of children, parents abuse substances, not providing affection or emotional support.
Negligence in education, such as ignoring children's school needs or not sending children to school.

The signs of the child being less attentive from the parents

There are many signs that can indicate the possibility of a child being neglected or inattentive by a parent, such as:

Children often miss school or skip school.
Children appear to be wearing inappropriate clothes or uniforms; looks like it is wrinkled, dirty, or torn.
Children commit acts of theft, ask for money from friends, or ask neighbors or friends for food.
The child's body hygiene is not maintained, such as body odor or frizzy hair.
The child looks very thin and weak.
Children tend to be naughty or behave strangely and irrationally or are otherwise very quiet.
Children abuse drugs or alcohol.
Children are not supervised by parents or home caregivers.

Long term effects of inattentive child

Make no mistake, it turns out that children who lack love and attention can experience long-term side effects. This effect tends to be emotional, because it may not be visible to the naked eye. According to the Help Guide, there are several long-term effects that shape children's attitudes and behavior in the future if the child continues to feel less affectionate. Are as follows:

Have trust issues

If parents alone cannot provide a feeling of security and comfort, who else can be trusted? That's about what might cross the mind of a child who grows up in a state of lack of affection and attention.

Thus, as they grow up, it may become increasingly difficult for children to build trust in others. Growing up with a lack of love and attention, of course children will depend more on themselves. This made him trust himself much more than anyone else. No wonder a child may believe the things that are in his head more than the words of others.

Difficulty building relationships in a mature manner

This distrust also makes it difficult for a child who grows up in a state of lack of affection and attention to have a mature relationship. Why? The reason is, a relationship will be difficult to survive if it is not based on trust.

In addition, children who lack love and attention may often have unhealthy relationships as adults. This may be because children do not know how to have good relationships with other people.

Often feel meaningless

Don't be surprised if children who lack attention and affection will often feel like they are insignificant when they grow up. How not, if you often say bad things to children, that will be imprinted in his heart.

For example, when you often say to children, "You are stupid!" or "You bad boys don't know how lucky!" etc., your child will believe that he is that kind of child.

This can greatly affect his life in the future, for example having a standard job with a minimal salary. Why? This is because your child believes he is incapable of doing anything better. The thing that goes through her mind all this time, is that your child doesn't deserve the good things in her life.

Can't regulate emotions

Another long-term effect your child may also experience is difficulty regulating emotions. During this time, when your child lacks attention and affection from you, he may feel unable to express his feelings safely.

Instead, he constantly suppresses his feelings and gets channeled in other ways that he probably shouldn't. This can result in children experiencing mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and irritability.

In fact, the child may engage in distortions, such as abuse of alcohol and drugs when he is feeling angry, sad, or upset.

What to do if the child seems inattentive?

Maybe, you see this in other family or your closest relatives. So, the first step when seeing a child who is neglected or lacking parental attention is to make sure that it is true that the child is experiencing this.

As much as possible to make the less affectionate child feel comfortable or get immediate treatment. For example, a child who is starving because his parents leave him to work, you may soon overcome the child's hunger first.

Then, notify the child's relatives or loved ones who can provide adequate care and temporary care for the child. If the case is serious enough, you can contact the authorities or health services. Do not hesitate to report this action to the authorities, so that children can get help and treatment more quickly.