It is normal for kids to act up, ignore you and try to do their own thing – but that doesn’t make it ok.
Here are four of the most common behaviour issues that mums have to deal with, and how they can stop them happening.
Lying
Whether it is a little white lie or a huge big one, it is important you don’t let your child continue to do it. What may seem like an innocent lie, like saying they cleaned their room when they didn’t, can become a bigger issue when they are allowed to do it. So it is important you stop it before it gets out of hand. When they do bend the truth a little or tell an outright lie make your child aware that you know the truth. Tell them the consequences and make sure they know that lying is not accepted.
Ignoring you
This is not just annoying for mums who have to repeat themselves over and over again, but it is also a sign that your child is disrespecting you. Telling your child three, four or even five times to do something can be tiresome and frustrating and often leaves mums angry and upset. The easiest way to stop it is to walk over to your child, get down to their eye level, ask them to do something and wait for them to reply. This way you know they heard you and your little one is less likely to have selective hearing if you are looking directly at them.
Having an attitude
It is not just teenagers who roll their eyes when spoken to by their mum - six, seven or even eight year olds do the same. Having a bad attitude to you will eventually spill outside of the home and your child may find themselves disrespecting other adults, such as their teacher, because they grew up thinking it was ok. Don’t ignore them when they do this and pull them up on it. Talk about how their attitude affects the way people perceive them and a bad one has consequences. Set out these consequences so that they are aware of them.
Speaking over you
Speaking over you or interrupting you is not just annoying, it is a pretty rude habit for your child to develop. It is important you stop it now before it gets out of hand. The best way to handle this type of behavioural issue is to tell your child that it is rude to interrupt and that you will speak to them when you are finished talking.
