Is your child's behavior out of control? The top five reasons kids misbehave--and how to turn it around.
What You Need To Know
When second graders behave badly, it may be that they're having a hard time expressing their feelings. If this sounds a little too touchy-feely, bear in mind that reacting by punishing your child can lead them to shut down in later years.
The most common reasons for their (mis)behavior:
- to meet a need - often a need for power
- to get attention (negative attention counts)
- to get revenge after their feelings have been hurt
- to explore their power by pushing buttons
- to express feelings they don't understand
How You Can Help
Gather information for your arsenal. Check out a book like psychologist Erik Fisher's The Art of Empowered Parenting. Understanding what's happening with your child will ease your frustration.
Try a new approach--working through the behavior, rather than punishing. Ask your second grader for cooperation, rather than getting into a power struggle. "Can you help me by getting your shoes and socks on?"
When your child acts helpless (in order to deal with confusion or a feeling of weakness), don't be too quick to solve the problem for them. Instead, encourage them to do it, letting them know you believe they're capable.
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