How do you deal with a 5 yo child who exaggerates the pain she feels? I want to make her feel better.?

exaggerating ones pain is a very frequent habit in young people. yes, it is a stage. But, nevertheless, keep in mind the meaning of this stage: it's a call for attention.

Your 5 year old it telling you "please give me attention". Between ages 4 to 7 or 8, young people request more attention than necessary. But, being a child, I am sure that you will be pleased to give her attention, since its the child's' way of telling you "I love you, you are important to me... please come and play with me", you will give the baby attention.

Do keep in mind that S. Freud said that babies are capable, and will, manipulate their parents through their crying... And its true, I've seen it many times, when, at the same time, the parents never see it... What I mean to say is that your child will start calling for attention, and when she has it, she will just call for more and more. when this happens, the best way to say "no" is keeping the child busy. Plan activities for the child, activities that can be done in your proximity (to avoid the feeling of loneliness). Keep the child busy....

Usually this behavior is considered "hypochondria". Keep in mind that, hypochondria is a very serious psychological illness. Do not call your child a hypochondriac - unless diagnosed by a professional-, and most importantly, never try to explain to him that he is suffering from hypochondria.

Manage the situation in a positive way for both. Love and affection is what the child is calling for. Criticism is not understood by five-year-olds.

I wish you the best.

LOL! Oh, goodness. I nipped this in the bud when my daughter was a BABY, and I am doing it now with my son.

If the child falls, bumps, stubs, whatever, the first thing out of your mouth should be, if you are sure that it is true...is "Oh, you are okay. Let mommy see." Of course there are going to be the eyes skwunched up to make the tears come, but if there isn't a lot of blood or no blood and no knots or fast-forming bruises,"OH MY GOODNESS! It looks like you are going to LIVE!!! YAAAAY! MY BABY IS OKAY!" Followed by a big hug, handing a kiss and having the child put the kiss where it is needed(something I came up with when my daughter bumped her bottom, and it caught on quickly), and distracting the child with a fun activity, like coloring or blowing bubbles.

HTH.

To the poster below me:

Sweety, you didn't really take the time to read what I typed, did you? Of course you want to MAKE SURE that your child is okay!!! Run over and check to make sure that there aren't any actual serious wounds or injuries! Always! I am not suggesting you just ignore your children's cries-NEVER that-because sometimes, they really need to be heeded. It is important to teach your child to limit those cries to when they are REALLY necessary-like "the boy who cried wolf", ya feel me? You want to minimize the dramatics. That's all.

The above suggestion might not be such a good one

Though you should take her to the doctor to be sure, maybe this wouldnt be the option for teaching her not to do it. Maybe she is seeking attention...and using the doctors office for teaching her NOT to be exaggerating about pain...would in a way do the opposite effect. It would provide her with attention, that she may be seeking

beleive me I understand

for me it is not a 5 yrs old but a husband

and no matter how old they are it is hard to make the person feel better

if she is afraid of hospital or neddle tell since she feels so bad you will take her to the hospital and if that don't work ask her should you call the doc to get her a shot

because you don't think what she has can be cure by simple med

Good luck & take care

Just give her the love and attention she desires. Some people need someone to show their affection more. Maybe for some reason she feels left out?? My 5 year old loves when she has a boo boo she I can "baby" her about it. It is all for love, she will grow out of it.

She could have an underlying medical condtion and isnt overexaggerating. You should take her in to see the doctor. If it turns out to be nothing, at least she will learn that making a huge deal of it lands her in the doctor's office for an hour.

She's doing it for attention. Give her a kiss and a band-aid, and then drop it and she'll stop with all the dramatics.

Maybe she isn't exaggerating and is very sensitive, if shes faking it though its just a stage. Unless she grows up to be a hypochondriac

It seems if your children is looking for more attention.

put her into a drama class, but i would never assume she is exaggerating, better to be safe then sorry