Reactive
Or Proactive?
By Rabbi Yeshaya Weber
Further
comments about our reactions to our children’s actions * Why is the reaction
so important? * What is the point in reacting after the fact?
In
the previous article we examined the rule for reacting, emphasizing the
importance of the principle of consistency. In this article we
will attempt to analyze and understand the idea behind consistency of
principles.
It
might sound like word play, but when we closely examine it, we will find that
this phrase actually communicates important and foundational rules to achieving
positive goals through the proper response.
Some
readers of the previous article may have been surprised by the emphasis on
reacting. Why do we seem to sanctify the reaction? What is the point in reacting
to something that happened – yes, every time it happens – after the fact?
The
rationale behind these questions can be quite convincing:
A
negative response can adversely affect the emotional connection between educator
and child. The child feels his privacy being encroached upon and his
independence being undermined. This naturally causes him to close up and become
distant. Approaching him in this state becomes much more challenging and
complicated. Isn’t it better to make believe you don’t notice, at least some
of the negative instances, and instead to look for the positive and accentuate
that?
These
concerns and others come from a certain lack of understanding of what the goal
of the reaction should be, as well as not knowing what the guiding principles
should be when choosing to react or not. (It’s important to remember: Not
reacting is also a reaction, though its significance depends on the specific
circumstance.)
The
test of any reaction is what will result from it. In order for the result to be
productive we must be guided by certain principles, through which we adjust our
reaction and change the situation, from one of muna (reactive response)
to one of meini’a (stimulus). In other words, moving from a situation
in which one’s response is reactive, to one in which the response is
proactive. If we want our chinuch approach to have the desired effect, it
must be proactive and planned.
In
halacha we find that in reprimanding a member of one’s household who
did not behave properly it is forbidden to actually be angry; one is, rather,
supposed to merely appear to be angry, for educational purposes. With this
example we can distinguish between a reactive response and a proactive response.
Anger
is a personal feeling that is a reaction to someone’s specific, undesirable
behavior. This personal emotion is then outwardly expressed so that the other
person feels it and sees it and knows that the reaction is a result of negative
behavior on his part. Yet the one who is angry is completely absorbed by his
feelings. He is reactive and responding emotionally, and under these
circumstances it’s hard for him to be proactive.
On
the other hand, when a person just appears angry, he isn’t truly angry.
The inner process he is going through is more logical and rational than
emotional. He knows that something negative took place and that he has to
clarify the situation in a way that prevents the event from recurring. So he
puts the proper expression on his face to show what he thinks about the matter.
This is a proactive reaction, which has the potential to move things in the
desired direction.
So
what are the guiding principles?
The
reaction has to be such that it has the ability to halt the child’s negative
action for a certain, reasonable length of time. The reaction can absolutely not
be part of the child’s game and a collaboration with him. What do I mean by
that? There are children who, for psychological, subconscious reasons, desire
any reaction at all, not necessarily a positive one. Such children will even
welcome negative attention. Reacting to them is sometimes synonymous with
relating to them. These children will often act out simply to get a response, a
word, a scolding, a conversation, in short, attention.
When
this is the reason for negative behavior, not reacting is actually a thunderous
response, though not in the way the child anticipated it would be. He realizes
he lost the game this time, and did not achieve what he wanted. He concludes
that he has to find a different approach to achieve what he lacks.
It
is very important that the type of reaction be positive. One shouldn’t tell a
child, "Why did you do that?!" Rather, the approach should be,
"What should you have done? How should you have behaved?" Or,
"How could you have prevented what happened?" "What other, better
way could you have chosen?" These responses are all positive.
Here’s
an example: My child comes home late from school. It’s not terribly late, but
late enough so that I notice. He did not let me know ahead of time about it and
did not ask me permission. The parent paces back and forth and waits for the
moment when he/she can finally say, "Where were you all this time? or
"What’s the problem, you don’t like it here? It’s better at your
friend’s house?" or "I was so worried! Why weren’t you on
time?"
These
responses often hide suspicion, raise doubts, and express pain over what
happened, all for the purpose of causing the child to feel guilty for his
irresponsible actions as they were experienced by the parent.
For
the child, a response like this is sort of a sentence of guilt: "You are
suspect!" "You are a criminal!" "You are insensitive!"
Our
dear child who feels judged, argues, justifiably, about this judgment passed on
him. The debate continues and leads to war. All this distracts us from our goal,
which is: focusing on what happened, recognizing it as being negative, and
understanding how to act positively. Suddenly, without realizing it, we find
ourselves in a storm of legal proceedings in which the accused stands up to the
prosecutor and tries to prove his innocence. If we don’t manage to get out in
time and in the right way, this little courthouse will grow to include other
lawyers for the two sides, and sooner or later a demonstration will break out.
Another
classic example, this time from the classroom:
A
child comes home from school with a note from his teacher that informs the
parents of the child’s misconduct in class. Here are a few common responses:
"I’m really surprised at you!" "You’re starting in with your
nonsense again?!" "I’m worried about you! Tell me, what’s going to
be with you?"
Once
again we have sentenced him, and the battle begins. The child wages a defensive
war, and all wise people concur that the best defense is offense.
The
proper way to consistently follow principles is first of all, to know and
understand what our goal is. What do we want to achieve with the child? When he
misbehaves, our goal should be to get him to change.
The
proper consideration of what lies behind our reactions will lead us to say
things like: "Do you feel good about this?" or "You certainly
realize that this needs to be corrected, and you want to fix it. We will help
you." You can also say: "A note like this from your teacher is really
not pleasant, but the teacher has one goal: he wants us, your parents, to help
you improve your behavior. We are ready and willing to help you."
For
more serious situations there are other rules which we will deal with at another
time.
It
pays to remember that when we enter into a debate and allow the situation to get
out of control, we don’t need to despair. We can quickly recover and make a
decisive statement that can get us back on track, and back to the guiding
principles which lead to consistency of principles.
Let’s
go back to the first example, to the boy who came home late. A more appropriate
reaction, which has a far greater chance of halting the recurrence of negative
behavior and will prevent the deterioration of the situation is a reaction like
(of course, you don’t use these words per se; I’m just demonstrating
the message you should be conveying): "There is certainly a reason for your
lateness and we are waiting to hear what it is, because clearly we parents need
to know, and it’s important for you to tell us. This will allay our doubts and
fears for the future, and both of us will gain from the experience."
In
this reaction the emphasis is not on the fact that the child came home late, but
to what degree he will cooperate with us and how loyal he is within the limits
we have established. This is a general goal, but it is very basic and of supreme
importance in chinuch.
Both
parents and children have to create an atmosphere of mutual trust. The child
knows that when the parent trusts him, he is given a lot more freedom and
latitude. His parents aren’t constantly on top of him. They aren’t following
him around. He understands that it pays for him to act in a way that makes his
parents trust him.
When
a parent expresses understanding for a child’s feelings and shows respect for
them, a trusting relationship develops between parent and child. As a result,
the child is willing to accept guidance and to follow it, and the parent’s
authority is strengthened.
(Questions
can be faxed to Eretz Yisroel to 03-960-7289)
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