| Are you a parent with a defiant child? Are you pulling | | | | frightening and overbearing to a young child who will |
| your hair out from opposition caused by your child? If | | | | then cry and become obstinate. This, in turn, causes |
| you are a parent who is tired of being tired, screaming | | | | the parent to react negatively with words or actions. |
| at your kids, putting them in time-out, etc., then this | | | | The cycle is repeated until one or the other gives in |
| article may be just what you are looking for. | | | | and/or collapses from exhaustion. |
| Households that are confusing (overactive) cause | | | | The second step for a parent is to remain consistent in |
| more confusion. Young children do not know how to | | | | his or her expectations of their child. Children will never |
| react to parents who come home from work tired and | | | | learn what is expected of them if the parent does not |
| in need of peace and quiet - or how to deal with a | | | | show consistency in that regard. I think back to my |
| household of siblings who also want and need | | | | own childhood and sitting in school. My teachers |
| attention. Therefore, negative attention, to a young | | | | expected certain things from their students; and they |
| child, is better than none at all. | | | | made it abundantly clear on the first day of class what |
| Understanding your child's need for attention is the first | | | | those expectations were. |
| step a parent must consider. It is perfectly natural for a | | | | The third step is for parents to send a clear message |
| child to make demands. From the confines of the crib, | | | | to the child in language they can understand. Be firm, |
| a child learns to cry for attention. We have all heard | | | | but friendly. Have your child repeat what the message |
| about the "terrible twos". This often is the result of a | | | | is. Have them explain it back to you in their own words. |
| toddler being curious and wanting to explore. The | | | | Never argue with a defiant child. It will do no one any |
| parent tells him "No", but it's not satisfactory to him. His | | | | good; not you, not your child. Years ago there was an |
| curiosity is overwhelming and he just has to know | | | | old saying, "Children should be seen and not heard." |
| what is behind the closed cabinet. | | | | Although I do not adhere to that advice, I do have a |
| Likewise, the curious and defiant child wants to 'do it | | | | tidbit of other advice for you: |
| his way' and make the rules that pertain to him. "I don't | | | | Pretend to be invisible to your defiant child. Pretend to |
| want to go to bed" or "I don't want to eat this food" is | | | | be deaf. Sooner or later, he will get the message that |
| a sign of independence at a very early age. So, how | | | | his defiance brings no self-satisfying results. In the |
| does a parent cope with such a strong willed and | | | | meantime, right now, go give him or her a big hug and |
| stubborn kid? | | | | let them know you love them. They are but little just |
| The first step is to keep calm. Raising one's voice is | | | | once. |