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10 Reasons Kids Misbehave and How to Support Them
Children often act out to express unmet needs or emotions they can't articulate. Misbehavior can stem from a lack of skills, peer influence, or underlying mental health issues. Understanding the root cause of a child's behavior allows parents to respond with empathy and appropriate strategies that tackle misbehavior often express their feelings and thoughts through their behavior. All behavior is a form of communication—and sometimes, children act out because they can't fully express what they're experiencing in words. When determining how to respond effectively, it helps to consider why your kid is misbehaving and uncover the possible underlying motivation behind their challenging we'll break down 10 surprising reasons kids misbehave, and how to navigate those moments with more confidence. Kids often act out when they feel left out, like when you're on the phone, visiting friends or family, or are otherwise occupied. Tantrums, whining, or even picking on a sibling can be their way of attracting a child, any attention—even if it's negative—still counts. That's why ignoring minor misbehavior (as long as no one is being harmed) and praising positive choices is one of the most effective ways to manage and minimize attention-seeking behaviors. Children learn how to behave by watching others—whether it's a peer at school acting out or a character on TV getting laughs for being rude. Kids are natural imitators, and they often repeat what they observe without fully understanding the consequences. Limiting your child's exposure to aggressive behavior in media and real life can help. Just as importantly, model the behavior you want to see. Demonstrating healthy behaviors and helpful choices gives your child a blueprint for how to act in different situations. When you lay down rules, your child may feel an urge to push against them to see what happens. Testing limits is actually a normal and healthy part of social and emotional development. It's how kids learn where boundaries are and what happens when they cross manage this, stay consistent with your limits and consequences. If a child thinks there's a small chance they may be able to get away with something, they're often tempted to try it. If there's an undesirable natural or logical consequence clearly connected to their choice to break a rule, they'll likely become less motivated to ignore your boundaries and limits. Sometimes, misbehavior stems from a gap in skills. A child who lacks age-appropriate social skills or communication skills may hit another child because they want to play with a toy. A kid who lacks problem-solving skills may not clean their room because they aren't sure what to do when the toys don't fit in the toy box. When this happens, focus on teaching them what to do rather than punishing. Walk them through what to do differently next time—like asking for a turn or breaking big tasks into smaller steps. Show them alternatives to misbehavior so they can learn from their mistakes. As preschoolers start to develop independence, they often want to show off their new abilities. Tweens push boundaries to assert themselves, while teens may rebel as a way to prove they can think and act on their own. Give your child opportunities to make appropriate choices. Ask your preschooler, "Do you want water or milk to drink?" Let your teenager know, "It's up to you to decide when you do your chores. And as soon as your chores are done, you can use your electronics." Offering age-appropriate freedom is one way to meet your child's need to be independent while still reinforcing boundaries. Kids don't always know what to do with their feelings. They may become easily overwhelmed when angry, and as a result, they may become aggressive. They may even act out when they feel excited, stressed, or your child feeling words can be a great tool to begin and sustain the conversation around big emotions. Words like "mad" or "lazy offer more precise ways to communicate than lashing out or shutting benefit from learning healthy ways of moving through feelings such as sadness, disappointment, frustration, and anxiety. Helping kids name their feelings and teaching them healthy ways of coping with a range of emotions, can go a long way in reducing outbursts and building emotional intelligence. Toddlers and preschoolers often struggle to verbalize their needs, so they communicate through their behavior. A child who is hungry, tired, overstimulated, or feeling sick may act out because they don't yet know how to say what's wrong. Being proactive can help prevent meltdowns. Tune into your child's emotions, ask them how they're feeling, and be responsive to cues that communicate there's something that they need that they aren't getting yet. Challenging behavior often stems from need for power and control. Refusing to follow directions or pushing back against rules can be a way for kids to feel more powerful. Instead of engaging in a power struggle, offer them limited choices. For example, ask, 'Would you rather clean your room now or after this TV show is over?' Giving kids small decisions helps meet their need for autonomy while still guiding their behavior in the right direction. One of the simplest reasons children misbehave is because it's effective. If breaking the rules gets them what they want, they'll quickly learn that misbehavior works. For instance, a child who whines until their parents give in will learn that whining is a great way to get whatever they want. While it may make your life easier in the moment to give in, it teaches the wrong lesson in the long run. Stay consistent, set clear expectations, and avoid reinforcing behavior you don't want to see repeated. In some cases, frequent misbehavior may be a sign of underlying mental health issues or neurodivergence. Kids with ADHD, anxiety, or other forms of neurodiversity, can struggle to follow directions and have a tendency to behave more impulsively than their neurotypical peers. If you suspect your child may have an underlying mental health issue or developmental disorder, talk to your child's pediatrician. An evaluation by a licensed mental health professional may be necessary to determine if any underlying emotional issues or developmental differences are contributing to their behavioral challenges. Read the original article on Parents
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Firefighters tackle property blaze in Cornwall
Firefighters are tackling a property blaze in south-east Cornwall after receiving multiple 999 calls. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said appliances had been sent to the property on the A387 near Polperro. Crews have been sent from Polruan, Liskeard and Looe. The service said crews requested an additional appliance which was sent from Lostwithiel as well as a water carrier, breathing apparatus support unit and incident command units. The fire service said assistance was being provided by Devon and Cornwall Police, South Western Ambulance Service and National Grid. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall The fire service said a station manager was also at the scene. A spokesperson for National Grid said nearby power had been cut off for "safety reasons". Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Devon and Cornwall Police National Grid
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Celebrant who worked near terrorist attack pays tribute to victims
A celebrant has paid tribute to victims of the London 7/7 bombings as she recalled the terrorist attack 20 years on. On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers struck the capital's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 on three London Underground trains and a bus. The Prime Minister and London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the July 7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am to coincide with the moment that the first bomb went off. READ MORE: Jobs axed at private school The King asked for the country to reaffirm its commitment to building a society of all faiths and backgrounds, standing against those who seek to divide us. The Mayor of London and the Prime Minister laying wreathsSinead Comerford, who lives in West Oxfordshire, was in the capital on the day of the attacks. At the time, she worked for an Australian hotel accommodation website, as a product development manager for Germany and Austrian hotels. The office was on Elder Street, not far from Liverpool Street station and Edgware Road. Now she works as a celebrant, conducting ceremonies for families, and lives in Shipton-under-Wychwood with her husband Nick Beaney. Ms Comerford said: "I will remember the day forever. I was living and working in London at that time. On July 7, 2005, I had taken the 344 bus at 8am from Stockwell to Liverpool Street and walked to the office I was working in, not far from Edgware Road. "Shortly before 9am, one of our colleagues alerted us that his train could not stop at Liverpool Street station and he rang asking for directions back to our office. "Our other colleague had not arrived yet. We were beginning to worry." She added: "The first reports on the radio were of a power surge. I remember saying immediately that this must be a premeditated terrorist attack. We were very relieved when both remaining beloved colleagues arrived into the office. "Soon we could hear helicopters circling the skies. Phone lines were quickly down, so it was getting harder and harder to reach other friends and colleagues working in the city. "Fortunately I managed to contact family in Dublin to say I was safe. "We were all advised to stay in our offices and not to leave and go out into the streets. I remember seeing buses below, carrying people wrapped in foil blankets. The day was long and harrowing. I remember feeling very frightened." Sinead Comerford (Image: Sinead Comerford) Ms Comerford said she recently watched A song for Jenny, a drama on the BBC, about "the beautiful young woman, Jenny Nicholson, who was a victim of the attack at Edgware Road", and her mother Julie's response to the attack. She urged people to think of Jenny, her family and the other victims. Ms Comerford added "I hope Londoners today can reflect as they travel around the city and smile at someone near them on the train, bus and Tube today, strike up a conversation and help someone carry their heavy luggage up the Tube stairs." Three of the blasts happened on London Underground, on or about 8.50am, in the vicinity of Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Square stations. The fourth device exploded at 9.47am on a bus that had been diverted via Tavistock Square. Last week, the husband of a doctor caught up in the 2005 attacks paid tribute to his 'wonderful' wife. Gerardine Quaghebeur, from Wootton near Abingdon, was sitting on an underground carriage near Aldgate station when a terrorist detonated a bomb. She helped fellow victims, and her husband Peter Richards said 'the shock and trauma of it never left her'. His wife of 30 years passed away on June 19.