Parenting Tips: Dealing with a Disruptive Child Effectively

When you’re the parent of a disruptive child, life can seem impossible at times. Going to the grocery store or out to dinner can seem like scaling your very own Mount Everest. Quite often, parents don’t know what to do or how to effectively handle a disruptive child, but there are certain methods and tactics that can make life a little easier for the whole family. Psychology Today recently published an article discussing ways a parent can effectively work with a disruptive child. 

Ways to deal with a disruptive child

It’s easy to yell at a disruptive child and get angry, but what does that teach your child and does it really fix anything? Here’s some things to remember next time you’re struggling with a disruptive child having a huge tantrum.

• Model Responsibility and Calm. The last thing your should do is explode, too. Try to keep a calm, level head. If you did play a part in your child getting upset, just take responsibility–it shows that you understand why they’re upset, but that they should be acting with the level of calm that you have. It doesn’t undermine your authority as a parent to admit that you messed up, it shows maturity and strength.

• Empathize. This one is often very difficult for parents–how can you empathize with an 11-year-old disruptive child having a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store because you told her she couldn’t have ice cream? Put yourself in her shoes. She has so many emotions that maybe this was just the thing to set her off. Take a moment to tell her that you understand why she’s upset, but that the way she’s portraying it isn’t appropriate. This way you’re not telling her that her emotions aren’t valid, you’re just telling her that the way she’s expressing them isn’t okay.

• Help Her Reflect Later. When she’s calmed down and had time to think, have a real discussion about her behavior. Ask why she felt she needed to express her emotions in the way that she did. Don’t judge her explanation, that’ll make her shut down–just listen. Ask her what she could’ve done differently.

If your daughter is getting to the point of disrupting daily life, it may be time to seek out a professional for further guidance on how to best help your family.

Asheville Academy can help your family

Asheville Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for young girls, ages 10-14, struggling with anxiety, depression symptoms in teens, ADHD, and other behavioral or emotional issues.

For more information about how Asheville Academy can help your disruptive child, call 800-264-8709 today.