Five common discipline problems and how to deal with them

1.            Lying

•             Why they do it: To avoid getting into trouble or to get attention.

•             How to deal with it: If you catch your child lying, calmly tell him to tell you the truth. And whenever he tells the truth without prompting, thank him and reinforce the important of telling the truth. 

2.            Aggression (hitting, biting)

•             Why they do it: To communicate frustration, anger, etc, and to seek attention

•             How to deal with it: Tell the child the behaviour is inappropriate and that it hurts, ask them to apologise to the victim of their aggression and enforce a consequence if he/she continues to be aggressive. 

3.            Temper tantrums/anger outbursts/whining

•             Why they do it: Inability to handle disappointment, frustration and negative emotions.

•             How to deal with it: Take your child aside and ask her to express why she is frustrated. Ask her to sit by herself quietly as he calms down. Tell her you’ll only listen if she doesn’t use a whiny voice. 

4.            Disrespect (talking back, inappropriate language, bad attitude)

•             Why they do it: To protest against something they don’t want to do.

•             How to deal with it: Tell your child to watch his tone and to repeat what he wants to say politely. If the behaviour continues, enforce mutually agreed upon consequences. 

5.            Defiance/disobedience

•             Why they do it: To test your limits or assert their independence.

•             How to deal with it: Give your child options if possible, so he can feel independent. Be firm about the things you need to be firm about and take away a privilege e.g. watching favourite programme, for a while as a consequence for disobedience.