Often parents can be heard saying, ‘My child is very naughty, it’s hard to make him behave’ or ‘He always misbehaves’. While everyone indulges in talking and discussing as to how kids misbehave, rarely an effort is made to figure out what exactly makes kids to misbehave or break the rules as set to keep them in discipline.
Well, if you too have been worried about your misbehaving child, here find out why he or she might be doing so.
1. Need for some attentionWell, this stands to be the prime reason why kids tend to misbehave. Often, they have this feeling that when they do anything wrong, your attention shifts to them. And mostly, this happens when they feel you are very much engrossed in your work and aren’t giving them the needed time. So next time you get busy, make sure your child isn’t made to feel neglected.
2. The desire to prove dominanceThe desire of showing off their dominance also makes kids misbehave at times. This is because they want to have their share of say in everything that happens around them. They feel that misbehaving or breaking a rule; is the true sign of power and they use it for their advantage whenever needed. For instance, if they want you to buy them a certain toy or switch on a particular channel they want to see, they will use this tool if their words fail to move you.
3. Testing parents limitsYou for sure make rules in order to keep the kids in discipline but when you fail to implement them fully, kids try testing the rules and limits by misbehaving. This way they get to know how serious you are about the consequences as designed. They push the limits just to see whether or not you will take the necessary action as warned. If you tell them that their TV time would be lessened if they fail to finish their school assignments, make sure you stick to it.
4. Hiding own incompetence or inabilityNo one likes to be incompetent or full of shortcomings; same goes true for your kids as well. When they have to hide their weakness, they often confide to misbehaving as by doing so they feel that no one will ever point them out.
5. The desire to enjoy independence Some kids don’t like to be dominated or watched upon for each and every thing around. To set themselves free from parental clutches, they try breaking the disciplinary limits. The very desire of enjoying their freedom makes them behave in a manner that stands unacceptable.
6. A way of getting their demands fulfilledFor some kids, misbehaving comes as the easy tool of getting their demands and wishes fulfilled. They often resort to acting in a fussy manner just to force parents to give in to their demands. For example, when in a toy shop, your child might insist you to buy him a new toy and if your answer is a NO; then you know what he would do next.
7. Any underlying mental health issueIn some kids, behavioural problems may arise due to some underlying medical condition associated with their mental health. Anxiety, depression, anger etc. can trigger misbehaviour in them. Such kids tend to be violent when misbehaving and can even lose their control completely.
Next time you yell at your child for misbehaving, analyze and figure out what’s really making him or her do so. The solution would come to you handy then.