If you happen to be a parent of a child, here are some tips for dealing with a difficult child:
1. Choose your battle
If you fight your child for every bad behavior, you will always be at war! Instead, make a list of the 10 or 15 most serious things that are not okay because they are dangerous, annoying, or uncivilized to others. If something is absolutely forbidden, like riding a tricycle on the street, set the real consequences you can follow. Maintain consistency in discipline, as a lack of discipline can confuse them and fuel rebellion.
2. Take precautions
This takes practice, but works well. Use what you know about your child's temperament to predict and avoid outbreaks. If he likes to take things out of the cupboard while you're in the kitchen, lock them up so he can't get in. Know when he feels most energetic, when he's most tired, and when he's grumpy so you can arrange to go to the supermarket or the doctor when he's at his best. Bring his favorite toys or some snacks to avoid boredom.
3. Stay in control
No matter how uncomfortable or exhausted you may be, don't give up control or succumb to bad behavior or tantrums. Yielding will show her your weaknesses and throw tantrums again to manipulate you. Instead, you can adjust her powerlessness and find what you need to control.
4. Stay calm
The calmer you are, the better you can handle the situation. When you tell your child to stop bad behavior, your tone also needs to be quiet, steady, and neutral. When convincing them to do something like washing their hands before a meal, the tone of suggestion is more helpful than the tone of command. So, instead of saying "go wash your hands and feet immediately," suggest "Why don't you wash your hands and feet when I'm preparing dinner?" ”
5. Listen carefully
Being listened to is one of the most important things for kids, and they often show it to get attention. So whenever they express their joy or sadness, listen and respond so they know they're being heard. Let's say he wants to open the cookie box at the supermarket, explain to him why he shouldn't do it, and wait for you to check out.
6. Sympathize with them
Your child can't understand the emotional storm in their head, but you can. Whenever possible, adjust their feelings and teach them to label it so they can better express what is happening. Use lines like "I know you're frustrated you can't eat those cookies right now" and "I know you feel too tired to take a shower."
7. Explain more
Instead of reacting to mischief, explain to them that snatching another child's toy is bad because they won't like it if it happens to them. The same applies to hitting or biting people so they can better understand how their actions affect others.
8. Give them a choice
Refusal to obey is usually associated with rebelling against your control. Therefore, instead of giving the impression of control, it is better to give them a result-first option. For example, instead of ordering him to return all the toys in the basket or clean the room, ask him which task he will take on so you can do the other. Eventually, you can stop helping him and let him complete one task at a time.
9. Rewards
You should only use this strategy if they perform well when they need it most. Let's say you're at a friend's house and your boy promises to play well with the other kids, and he keeps going, entertaining him with his favorite ice cream or snack as a reward. It's also great for simple tasks such as taking pills, and a spoonful of sugar later will definitely help ease it!
10. Choose the appropriate consequences
Consequences are just as important as rewards when it comes to shaping difficult behaviors. Pauses apply to most children because they have enough time to think about what they are doing in a dull and boring place. If the timeout doesn't work, you can always take away other favorite activities, such as screen time privileges and desserts.
In fact, it has been seen that children with these characteristics tend to achieve both academically and in their working lives. They are less prone to succumbing to the pressure of their peers, which helps them avoid the wrong things that their friends may fall into. Practicing effective discipline and making an effort to understand your child can go a long way toward helping them become responsible adults, despite their strong will.