| Defiant children are a parent's nightmare and can send | | | | 4. Be Consistent |
| any caregiver running. Before calling Nanny 911, | | | | Consistency is important in any parent/child relationship, |
| consider the following tips. | | | | but more so with defiant children. If Johnny was told |
| 1. Don't lose your cool. | | | | there would be no dessert because of his behavior in |
| Defiant children decide they have won if you are | | | | the car, make sure Johnny gets no dessert. Nip bad |
| frustrated. Remain calm and remove yourself from the | | | | behavior in the bud. While a snide remark in the |
| situation if possible. | | | | restaurant may be overlooked for logistics, the defiant |
| 2. Deal With Underlying Problems | | | | child thinks he/she won, and the behavior will escalate. |
| Many times children are defiant because of something | | | | If your partner is not consistent with your discipline or |
| deeper. Are they angry at having a step-parent? Are | | | | rules, a defiant child will sense this and prey upon it. |
| they angry because Dad works too much? Are they | | | | 5. Love the Child |
| acting out for attention? Are they angry because they | | | | Defiant children sometimes get an overdose of |
| feel their feelings are not validated? | | | | discipline and negative attention. Make sure to show |
| 3. Win the Battles You Pick | | | | the child you love them. Learn about the five love |
| Obviously, you do need to pick your battles, but the | | | | languages and consistently show love to your child in |
| ones you pick must be won completely and decisively. | | | | his/her love language. A child who feels loved, |
| This lets the child know that you are in charge, no | | | | respects discipline better. |
| matter what. | | | | |