| It seems to be a problem nowadays; a lot of parents | | | | learn to control it. A child will copy the things their |
| don't know how to stop their children's behavior | | | | parents do. Just because they are told these things |
| problems. It seems that how their own parents dealt | | | | are wrong they won't stop the bad behavior as long |
| with these issues (or didn't) isn't working on their kids. | | | | as their parents keep doing it. And it isn't enough just to |
| Where does the bad behavior come from? | | | | stop it; parents must explain to their children why they |
| There are a number of possible reasons. Some of | | | | aren't doing these things anymore otherwise their |
| them are: | | | | children won't understand. |
| - It can come from watching other kids in the | | | | - Rules are meant to train children to become good |
| playground. These kids can be hitting other children, or | | | | adults. They are not meant to prevent them from |
| talking back to their parents, or even swearing. When | | | | making mistakes. If your child doesn't have room to |
| our children don't see any consequences for these | | | | grow, relax some of the rules. Does your child do |
| actions they assume they can do it themselves. | | | | things that are dangerous? Have a rule. Does your |
| - The kids may be modeling their parents. Dad swears, | | | | child swear, hit, and do bad things? Then have rules for |
| Mom screams, or both get violent. Guess what, they | | | | these but be clear that acting in this way is |
| see that this must be okay. They certainly don't | | | | inappropriate. And there are things that can be |
| understand it when their parents chastise them for it. | | | | overlooked. Just because you might think that it is |
| - The parents may be too strict or too lenient. If a | | | | disgusting for a child to roll around on the grass and |
| parent has lots of rules with tough consequences that | | | | get his jeans stained doesn't necessarily make it |
| are earned for bad behavior then a child may rebel. | | | | worthy of punishment. |
| On the other hand if there are no rules or the rules | | | | - Similarly if there are no rules how does a child know |
| aren't enforced the child will behave the way they | | | | that smacking a neighbor's kid is wrong if they haven't |
| want to. So can anything be done about it? | | | | been taught? Or perhaps they know all of your rules |
| Here are some suggestions to stop the behavior | | | | but you never give them consequences for breaking |
| problems: | | | | them. They are going to learn that the rules are |
| - Teach your children what is right from what is wrong. | | | | meaningless. Make sure there are appropriate ones |
| Have a discussion with them about what other children | | | | and they always receive consequences when the |
| are doing. Tell them why some of these things are | | | | rules are broken. Try to strike a good balance, enough |
| wrong. Let them know that acting this way won't be | | | | rules to teach the lessons of life but not so many that |
| tolerated. | | | | your child feels constricted and wants to rebel. |
| - If parents indulge in bad behavior then they must | | | | |