| Let's face it, a defiant child can put a strain on family | | | | a more permanent solution by having a careful look at |
| life but it can also ruin a marriage. This often happens | | | | behavior therapy. In this type of course or therapy |
| when parents have different ideas about what defines | | | | sessions, you can learn a whole set of strategies for |
| defiant behaviour and how it should be punished. This | | | | every situation especially when dealing with defiance. |
| immediately creates tension and the child will exploit it | | | | How do set the limits? What is the bottom line? How |
| for all its worth when he realises there is a good cop | | | | are you going to deal with the homework battle and |
| and a bad cop in the household. | | | | what about curfews and how do you impose them |
| The first tip is therefore to establish the bottom line | | | | when confronted with defiance. Again, these |
| and get your spouse's agreement about how it should | | | | techniques can be learned in behavior modification |
| be enforced. This is one of the first things you learn | | | | courses. |
| how to do if you follow a behaviour modification | | | | My third tip, as a general rule is not to have too many |
| course. | | | | rigid rules and limits. Once you have established a |
| When you are faced with child behavior problems and | | | | bottom line and below that you will not go, you can be |
| this could include ADHD, or Oppositional Defiant | | | | a little more flexible about other less important issues. |
| Disorder (ODD), you may seek help by using | | | | There will be room for negotiation and you can be |
| medication with stimulant or non-stimulant drugs which | | | | supportive while still being firm. |
| may or may not alleviate the child's symptoms. The | | | | Often parents are at a loss at how to deal with |
| problem here is that while medication can work in | | | | defiant children and defiance can start at a very young |
| many cases, the foundations of establishing a code of | | | | age and that is difficult. But parents can learn skills and I |
| behaviour is not going to be provided by taking tablets | | | | know families who bless the day that they started a |
| or pills. No pill will teach a child how to behave! | | | | behaviour modification course and regained a happy |
| My second tip is to look beyond medication and seek | | | | serene family atmosphere as a result. |