Children’s Bad Behaviour at Home: Consequences of Disrespect and Lack of Discipline
Every parent experiences bad behavior from their child at some point. If your child occasionally doesn’t listen, acts out, or behaves in ways you don’t like, it’s usually nothing to worry about. However, concern is warranted if this bad behavior becomes the norm.If a child behaves aggressively, refuses to listen, or is even rude to elders, this is a warning sign. You may not have noticed when this behavior started or what triggered it.
There are challenging ages when children are least willing to obey parental control—typically ages 1 to 3, 6 to 7, and 13 to 15. Don’t be too demanding during these times. These crises occur because your child is outgrowing their previous stage and their status is changing.
Advice:
Sometimes, parents themselves unintentionally cause their child’s bad behavior. Poorly chosen parenting tactics can provoke negative responses. If you notice your child’s behavior worsening and can’t pinpoint the cause, consider taking a unique Parenting Mentor Test. The results will reveal whether parenting mistakes are contributing to your child’s bad behavior.
Let’s explore which parental actions provoke bad behavior and what you can do if you encounter these situations at home.
- Don’t give in to your child’s demands
Imagine you’re shopping with your child and they see a toy you don’t plan to buy. Your child throws a tantrum. Instead of calming them, you buy the toy to quiet them down.
Why shouldn’t you do this, and what happens if you give in? If you always give in to your child’s demands, you risk raising a manipulator. The child learns that throwing a tantrum gets them what they want.
How to respond? Don’t give in to tantrums. It’s tough to watch, but your child will eventually tire of crying and calm down. Over time, they’ll understand that tantrums won’t change your mind and will stop using them. - Don’t overprotect your child
Taking care of your child is important, but balance is key. Excessive care can feel suffocating and provoke rebellious behavior. Every person needs personal space and freedom. Trying to shield your child from every danger can backfire, harming their psychological health and creating a fear of life or inability to make decisions.
How to respond? Give your child room to make their own choices. This doesn’t mean ignoring them, but allowing independence. Teach responsibility for choices and decisions. Letting your child distinguish right from wrong helps them navigate life with confidence. Also, don’t do your child’s homework for them—they must learn to handle tasks independently. - Follow through on your consequences
Parental authority is hard to regain once lost. Inconsistent discipline damages your credibility. If you threaten consequences for bad behavior but don’t follow through, your child learns not to take your words seriously. For example, if you forbid sweets before dinner or drawing on the wall, and your child disobeys without consequence, they’ll realize you aren’t serious—even about more important issues.
How to respond? Set clear rules and warn your child of the consequences if they break them. A three-warning system works well: if your child ignores the first two warnings, implement the consequence on the third infraction. - Don’t overpraise your child
Too much praise can be more harmful than too little. Praising every small thing risks inflating your child’s self-esteem to unhealthy levels. This may cause trouble socializing, dealing with failure, and staying motivated. Instead of taking pride in their work, your child may become dependent on others’ approval.
How to respond? Praise your child fairly—for their school success, small achievements, or good choices—but avoid praise for fulfilling basic responsibilities. - Don’t idealize your child
It’s a mistake to think your child is perfect. If your child offends peers or has issues at school, don’t defend them blindly. Understand the situation objectively. No child is flawless. Taking a balanced view helps your child develop. Idealizing your child makes them feel they can’t make mistakes, harming their psychological wellbeing.
How to respond? Let your child be human, not perfect. Don’t put them on a pedestal. Their opinions matter, but so do yours. Striking a balance prevents them from becoming either fearful of mistakes or overly demanding. - Don’t overlook good behavior
Ignoring your child’s good actions is just as harmful as only criticizing them. If you only reprimand and never acknowledge their achievements, bad behavior may be a plea for attention.
How to respond? Consider how often you praise and express love for your child. If not enough, change that! You’ll likely see improvements in their behavior right away.