6 ways to handle a defiant child
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – It’s Parenting Connection Tuesday and 6 News is here for you with tips, strategies, and helpful reminders from child development experts on how we can be better parents and guardians.
Today’s topic: 6 ways to handle a defiant child.
Kids don’t always do what you want them to do, and in some cases, become defiant… or in other words…. purposely do what you don’t want them to do. Experts say, in most instances, it’s a child who is testing the limits, or learning to take control of a situation. Then comes the hard part for parents… and that is, how you handle the problem because the discipline that follows is important.
According to Katherine Lee with Parents.com, there are many ways to help improve a child’s behavior when it comes to defiance… and here are 6:
Set expectations. Make sure your child knows the rules of the house.
Get to the root of the problem. This means, looking for what may be a common trigger for the defiance, and then you can take steps to adjust.
Treat your child with respect. Experts say you’ll get a lot farther when you speak to them in a loving and understanding manner.
Compromise when possible. Experts say it’s ok to make a deal when your child wants to exert control over something small.
Discuss other options. Kids become defiant because they want more say in how they do things. So experts say, that giving them choices, makes them feel like they have more control.
Set your child up for success. This means, avoiding situations where a child may be more likely to be defiant.
Now, if your child’s defiant behavior persists for a prolonged period, and starts to interfere with school or relationships, then it could be a sign of something called oppositional defiant disorder. experts then advise to consult with a health care provider to find help and resources.
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