Every child has “episodes,” periods that
make parents want to tear out their hair in frustration. When your child acts
out, refuses to listen or throws a temper tantrum, it can be embarrassing and
infuriating. It is all you can do to remind yourself that it is normal and they
will come out of it. That being said, there are certain
behaviors that you should not ignore. These could be signs of more serious
issues, or could be a gateway to bigger problems. Interruption
during Conversation When you are talking to your child or to
someone else and your child interrupts you, it can be tempting to let them go.
After all, they have not yet developed adult self-control and may just be
excited or feel the need to clarify what you are saying. Allowing them to butt
into conversations does not teach them to be considerate of others. Make sure your child has clear boundaries.
Educate them on consideration and social graces. Teach them to wait their turn
to speak in a conversation. Roughhousing
Of course you want to watch out for kids
fighting. When they are hitting, kicking or otherwise engaging in aggressive
actions that could hurt others, this is inappropriate behavior. You should also
watch out for smaller signs of aggression. Pinching, poking and shoving can
quickly escalate into worse conflicts and bullying problems. If your child is showing signs of physical
aggression towards other kids, step in immediately. Ask them how they would
like it if another child did the same thing to them? Educate them that hurting
others is wrong and inappropriate. Teach them better ways to handle the
situation; again, establish clear boundaries. Defiance Defiance is a major problem among children.
While it is natural for kids to push boundaries, this does not mean it is your
place to give in. If you have to tell a child something several times before
they obey, they get the message that ignoring you is okay. If they are
constantly arguing or challenging you or others and get away with it, they
learn that this is how to get their way. When your child is being defiant, you
should step in immediately. If they ignore you or argue when you give a
command, walk over to them turn them around, and make them look you in the face
as you tell them what you want. Then make them acknowledge you and comply,
imposing a consequence for their actions if they do not. These are just a few situations where poor
behavior patterns can lead to larger problems. If your child is acting out and
you are at your wits’ end, talking to a professional can help. If you need a
child psychologist in Edmonton, give us a call today. |