Is your child throwing tantrums whenever she is unhappy? Does your child exhibit defiant behavior and is overly aggressive? Has your child been biting and kicking?
Well, you are not alone. A large number of parents face problems with their child’s aggressive behavior.
Aggressive behavior can have long term detrimental effects on a child, including depression, school dropout, criminality, anxiety and competence issues in adulthood. Temper tantrums, lying and solitary stealing are also very common.
Children suffering from aggressive behavior also have a tendency to be sexually uninhibited and are also more likely to be involved in sexual aggressiveness. Aggression in children is mainly characterized by inattention and hyperactivity.
Handling Your Child’s Aggression
Aggressive behavior in children can affect their performance in school and society. Children suffering from aggression are less effective or perform poorly in their regular school and personal activities.
These children feel like their parents are rejecting them, their teachers are unfair and other children are mean, which leads to low self-esteem. They usually feel unhappy and often believe that they cannot get any help from their friends, teachers or parents.
Here are some tips that can help you deal with aggressive behavior in your child:
1. Act promptly
If you feel that your child is acting aggressively, say that she is biting – don’t react in the same aggressive manner as it will only reinforce such behavior. Just make sure to act promptly and just say “No biting, it hurts”. Although this approach may look simple, it can actually help a lot.
2. Take a time out
Take some time out with your child and discuss the problem and the consequences of aggressive behavior. It can help your child understand and deal with aggression, as well as regain control over the behavior.
3. Teach them to apologize
Teach your child how to say “sorry” to whomever she hurt. It might take some time, but the more your child practices, the better she will be at understanding the importance of making things right with people she hurt.
4. Help them express themselves
Children suffering from aggression face difficulties in expressing themselves, especially during difficult situations. Talk to your child about her frustration. Teach your child to act calmly and in a positive manner when dealing with different situations, especially difficult ones.
Many children act aggressively just to get attention. Teach your child that she can get your attention by behaving properly, and not by misbehaving. It will help your child resolve various problems and aggression will diminish itself.
In case of serious problems, your child may require counseling, which can be a big help when it comes to dealing with difficult issues or emotions. However, don’t ignore your child’s aggressiveness, the earlier the problem is identified, the sooner it can be resolved.
Author Bio:
Hi, this is Allen Jennifer from Livesnet, a site devoted to help people find the great baby gears for their needs, and offer great tips on parenting. If you have any question about baby gears, just go for our site and do check out my hot reviews on Britax marathon 70 reviews and mamas & papas sola stroller.
I think #4 is so important (well, they all are, but this one stood out). Kids can get so frustrated when they can’t communicate, and it can come out in all sorts of aggressive ways. Also, because we’re all so busy, sometimes we forget to pay attention when the behavior is appropriate vs when it’s something we have to address right that moment. Great reminder!
Gnome Games
Twitter: VenturesofHome
Kids aren’t equipped to deal with their emotions so we really need to teach them how to. But you’re right, sometimes we do fail to mind the “good things” they do too.
Although none of our four daughters are aggressive, we are die hards when it comes to making our kids apologize. Nothing shapes their behavior like taking accountability for their actions and making restitution with the ones impacted.
Are You a Preschool Pack Mom?
Twitter: shanmilholland
Completely agree. It’s what we do “after” that counts the most.
Parents of these children should get a medal. It requires such patience and commitment and dedication to seeking out the right help and following through with it. This is a wonderful article with such helpful tips. Thanks so much for sharing this website with us, Anne!
~Erin
Beautiful Memories
Twitter: ErinPatrick
You are most welcome, Erin. Jennifer wrote a great post!!
I am very thankful that non of my kids are aggressive, but I do have many different personalites to deal with, these different catorgies are really good, we always make them apologize that is number 1 in our home. Great Post!
~Birthday Week Cupcakes~
I would love to have other children just so I can compare behavior.. Or maybe I’ll just give you a call haha
My 4-year-old has moments of aggression, and these tips are all helpful pointers. Thank you for sharing them!
My Son Called Me A Whore
Twitter: crazedkitchen
Glad to be of help!
Thanks for sharing this, Anne. My daughter has somewhat mellowed from her past aggressive behavior. I think it helps that we both pray more nowadays.
Storytime Strategy: Thinking Out Loud
Twitter: PepperTan
That’s nice to hear, Pepper! It seems that most of us parents have experienced or are experiencing this. Keep praying!
I too find it is important to teach kids to express themselves properly as many a times they act out as they can’t get their feelings known.
Top 10 Highlights of May
Twitter: dominiquegoh
Agree with you, Dominique. It’s not always easy though.
My oldest can be a bit aggressive. I’ve dealt with it similar to those suggestions coupled with discipline depending on the situation.
Its interesting though, as haven’t told him to say sorry, he does say sorry. He actually is learning more by my husband and my actions. He will even say “Your welcome” and we never taught him that. He just learned from us. It’s SO important to be a good example to a child.
When something goes wrong, it’s important to show them through our actions how to deal with things.
Good suggestions!
Collages of My Boys
It’s definitely important to be a great model. Glad to hear that your kiddo apologizes. It’s so nice when they do that, right?
You have so many great articles on here, this one being no exception. Keep up the great work!
Bipolar Parenting-Part Two: I Hope You Know How to Juggle
Amy thank you so much for your words!!! You made my week
Come back anytime you want!