Dealing with stubborn children is a challenge for parents as getting them to do even basic chores like taking a bath, eating a meal or going to bed is an everyday battle. Parents inadvertently encourage adamant behavior in children, by giving in to their tantrums.
The best way to deal with a stubborn child is to show him that his behavior doesn’t work. Pay attention to his good behavior for the desired outcome. MomJunction has listed down a few tips that child psychologists and parenting experts recommend to deal with a stubborn child.
# Listen, Don’t ArgueCommunication is a two-way street. If you want your obstinate kid to listen to you, you have to be willing to listen to him first. Strong-willed children may have strong opinions and tend to argue.
# Don’t Force ThemWhen you force kids into something, they tend to rebel and do everything they should not. The term that best defines this behavior is counterwill, which is a common trait of stubborn children. Counterwill is instinctive and is not restricted to children alone. Connect with your children.
# Give Them OptionsKids have a mind of their own and don’t always like being told what to do. Tell your four-year-old stubborn child that she has to be in bed by 9pm, and all you will get from her is a loud “No!”. Tell your five-year-old stubborn boy to buy a toy you chose and he will NOT want that. Give your kids options and not directives. Instead of telling her to go to bed, ask her if she would want to read bedtime story A or B.
# Respect ThemIf you want your children to respect you and your decisions, you need to respect them. Your child will not accept authority if you force it onto him.
# Work With ThemStubborn or strong willed children are highly sensitive to how you treat them. So be watchful of the tone, body-language, and vocabulary you use. When they become uncomfortable with your behavior, they do what they know best to protect themselves: they rebel, talk back, and display aggression.