BEAUTY

Every child misbehaves from time to time. This is always distressing to us as parents because we would all like to be perfect parents of perfect children! There are many reasons for a child's misbehaviour, and many ways for parents to help the child improve. Difficult behaviour includes: using bad language, behaving aggressively or violently, destroying property, lying, stealing, refusing to cooperate with necessary tasks, such as getting dressed in the morning, going to bed at night or doing school work.

Unintentional and intentional misbehaviour

Children can misbehave by accident or on purpose, and it is important to understand the difference, for example: Accidental misbehaviour - Your eight-year old throws a snowball in a friendly snowball fight and injures another child because a stone was accidentally packed into the snowball. Intentional misbehaviour - Your child steals candy from the corner store after you refused to give his/ her allowance two days early.

Why do children misbehave?

Sometimes, the causes of misbehaviour are easy to see; other times, they are hidden. The reasons may include: impulsiveness and inexperience - A lot of misbehaviour happens because the child does not know any better. For example, the eight-year old with the snowball was excited and having fun (impulsive) and may be too young to understand that even the simplest actions can be dangerous when done carelessly (inexperience). resentment and anger at rules - Nobody likes being told what to do, and that includes children. Yet, children get told what to do and how to do it all the time! So, it is not surprising that they misbehave out of resentment or anger. For example, your three-year old may hit a playmate after you insist that toys be shared, or your teenager may yell, swear and slam doors after being told repeatedly to clean up his/her room...more>>>