Disrespectful behaviour in children must be handled tactfully. Read to know how to respond to disrespectful children and correct their misbehaviour.Occasional and mild disrespect is common and acceptable because kids are kids, after all. On the more serious note, if you find that your child is behaving rudely or is disrespectful often, you need to check this as soon as possible. Every parent should understand that it is easy to discipline a seven-year-old than a seventeen-year-old child. So, the earlier you take steps, the better it would be for your child.
1. Ignore the Behaviour that is to Seek Your Attention
Here, ignoring does not mean that you allow your child to get away with being mean, but to refuse to give your child attention when she is obnoxious. For example, if you ask your child to clean her room and she rolls her eyes, you should not waste time bargaining on that matter. You can discuss this when both of you are calm. Point out exactly what she did and when. Ask her and then talk to her explaining the natural consequences of
disrespectful behaviour.
2. Give Your Child an Option
Instead of
shouting at your child on her disrespectful behaviour, you should give her a choice. For example, tell her that you will listen to anything she says only when she lowers her voice. Let your child understand that polite and kind behaviour results in positive outcomes.
3. Give a Single Warning to Your Child
Sometimes children, out of habit, raise their voice or become disrespectful, but as soon as you warn them, they will check it. On the other hand, if your
child is not listening, you can warn her to stop interrupting you or else she will have to go to her room or you will cancel her TV time. Do not repeat your warning. Be prepared to follow through the negative consequence if she does not listen to you.
4. Provide a Negative Consequence
When there is serious disrespectful behaviour, there has to be a negative consequence. Let your child understand this. You can take away her privileges if she exhibits serious
bad behaviour. Make sure you use logical consequences. Time out can be an effective one as well especially if your child is young.
5. Restitution
Sometimes, restitution is the best way to make your child understand the value of respect. Your child should understand that apologizing is not the appropriate solution always. Restitution will help your child take the responsibility of her disrespectful behaviour and also help her repair her relationship, if it has damaged.
One of the most important things that parents should keep in mind is that they have to be consistent in their efforts because it is a work in progress. When you will try to stop your child’s disrespectful behaviour, she will try to take two steps ahead and one step back. It is possible that she remains polite and kind one day, but become the same old person another day. This is where parents should not lose their patience.
Consistent discipline will help your child make long term progress. At this point of time you should point out and appreciate her
good behaviour whenever you see it. Consider the disrespectful behaviour as she needs more practice to overcome it.
The most important thing here is that you have to become a good role model. It does not matter whether you are frustrated with something going on in your personal or professional life; you have to control and behave appropriately in front of your child. It is not just your child, you should be polite and respectful with everyone you meet and interact with, no matter what happens. Your child will follow suit.
Why do some children behave in a disrespectful manner? How to react to the disrespectful behaviour in children? What are ways to correct disrespectful behaviour in children? Discuss here.
