Stubborn children can often cause parents to become frustrated and overwhelmed. If your child is resistant, you may find discipline a tricky endeavor, particularly if you have not found a successful method for getting your child to follow your rules. According to KidsHealth, one of the most important things to remember with discipline is to be consistent with your expectations and your consequences. It may take your stubborn child longer to accept and adhere to the rules, but a few techniques can help your child behave more appropriately.
Step 1
Outline your expectations to your child. Call a family meeting and tell your child exactly what your rules are and what the consequences are for breaking those rules. Encourage your child to write the rules on a piece of paper and hang it on your refrigerator where he can see it everyday.
Step 2
Give your child your a consequence each and every time she fails to follow the rules. Be consistent. Do not back down and do not give in no matter how long it takes for your stubborn child to catch on. Consistency will teach your child that you take her behavior seriously, reports KidsHealth.
Step 3
Refrain from arguing with your stubborn child or yelling at him. Do not be tempted to argue with your stubborn child because chances are you will get so frustrated that you eventually give in to his demands. Tell your child in a calm and quiet voice that you notice that he is not following the rules and remind him of the consequences. Follow through if he does not change his behavior.
Step 4
Distract your child with a new activity. Find something that interests your child, because stubborn children often refuse to give up their poor behavior without some sort of incentive to do so. Keep several interesting activities, such as art projects, new coloring books or picture books, on hand to pull out when you need to distract your child from inappropriate behavior.
Step 5
Empower your stubborn child, because she is likely to react negatively to being told what to do all of the time, reports Healthy Children. Give your child some power to make her feel more in control. Allow your child to choose her own outfit, to pick what type of cereal she wants for breakfast or what book to read at bedtime. Chances are that being allowed to make some of her own decisions will encourage her to respond more positively to your requests.
Tips and Warnings
- Create an incentive chart to encourage your stubborn child to follow your expectations. Allow her to place a sticker on her chart each time she follows the rules. Give her a special treat, such as an afternoon at the playground or a special dessert, when she earns a certain number of stickers.
- Do not use empty threats to try to get your child to do what he is told. Use consequences that you can follow through with or your child will quickly learn that you are not serious and may become even more stubborn.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Marker
- Coloring books
- Storybooks
