Parenting children who exhibit bad behavior is challenging. Behavioral problems may start as mild issues, then gradually progress to more severe problems that affect all aspects of life. Behavioral problems that significantly impact functioning on academic, social and familial levels require attention. Seeking help from a professional such as a teacher, counselor or physician is recommended to prevent worsening of behavior.
School Refusal
Refusing to attend school so she can stay home, throwing temper tantrums upon arrival to school, excessive clinging to parents at drop-off and frequent complaining about going to school are signs of chronic school refusal. These behaviors are frustrating for both parents and children. School refusal behaviors can stem from lack of confidence, low self-esteem, anxiety about school work, social problems or fear that something will happen to a parent while at school. Improving this behavior includes counseling to reduce irrational fears, collaboration with teachers and other school professionals and developing a plan to reduce stress on the student.
Running Away
Leaving home for extended periods of time without parental permission, patterns of seeking comfort from a non-custodial parent or other relative when situations are tough at home, crossing state lines or leaving home in the middle of the night or for several days at a time are all characteristic of problematic running away behavior in children. Running away causes severe safety concerns in children. This behavior indicates bigger problems at home between parents and children or might signal an issue with abuse or domestic violence. Improving this behavior includes recognizing the problems children are trying to escape, decreasing impulsive reactions to situations and improving the bond and communication between parent and child.
Oppositional Defiance
Acting as if all adults are the enemy, deliberately doing the opposite of what he is told, throwing temper tantrums when he does not get his way and refusing to comply with reasonable requests are characteristic of oppositional defiant behavior. This behavior in children is usually coupled with the inability to take responsibility for own actions and blaming others. Improving this behavior would include reducing the tension between the adult and child, resolving the conflict that is underlying the defiant behavior and teaching skills to ask for needs in a civil and respectful manner.
Aggression
Engaging peers and siblings in verbal arguments or physical altercations, bullying others, taunting, teasing and seeking revenge are problematic aggressive behaviors sometimes apparent in children. Aggressive children display a pattern of poor impulse control, intimidation of others and lack of empathy. He may have difficulties making friends due to the aggressive behavior that fuels instability in his relationships. Improving aggressive behavior includes work on identifying feelings of self and others, involvement in a social skills curriculum and development of anger management techniques.
Delinquency
Failing to comply with rules at home, school or in the community, cruel acts of violence towards people or animals, property destruction, fire-setting, lying, manipulating or conning others are characteristics of children with a predisposition to severe conduct disorder and delinquency. The problematic behaviors are illegal, dangerous and antisocial. Children with conduct disorder problems are likely involved in the juvenile justice system, lack emotional ties and commitment and show little remorse for actions. Improving delinquent behavior includes identifying sources of anger, verbalizing how feelings are associated with behavior and developing healthy and meaningful connections with others.
