Dealing With Kids’ Aggressive Behaviour

These are challenging times. However, we must not let it get the better of our kids and us. Aggression is one sore point that most parents have to contend with at one point or another in the developmental stage of the child. However, confronting this ugly behaviour is not one that can be won through the use of force or through aggression by the parents. It would require rather, an understanding of the causes of such aggressiveness and a subtle approach to correct the child. These are some hints on dealing with aggressive kids with a view to correcting their ways.    

• Understand the cause of your child’s behaviour; is he trying to act out his anger, frustration or protesting against something
• Reassure him that it is right to get angry; however, there are better means of expressing such emotion
• Some parents, especially fathers exhibit pride when they notice aggression in their kids; this is not a positive way of parenting
• Do not use physical punishment to dissuade kids from being aggressive; you are sending a wrong signal to them that physical aggression is good
• Employ the use of other forms of discipline like time outs and restriction of privileges; see our article on discipline
• Always stay calm; no point getting overheated as you would also be sending a wrong signal to the kid
• Be your child’s role model; don’t ever use aggressive or violent behaviour at home or anywhere else. Children most times mimic their parents, so be careful
• Use praises where the kid corrects himself an acts polite
• Seek professional help where it seems that all you are doing is not working; you could talk to your local religious leader, or counsellors