Are you emotionally drained by your child’s bad behaviour?

When children “act out”, it isn’t only about them being disobedient on purpose. There are certain underlying emotions that must be addressed. Parents are increasingly turning to child experts, inquiring about their children’s behaviour and attempting to comprehend the relationship between their feelings and their acts. Parents are attempting to assist their children in better navigating their emotions.

What is “acting out”?

The term “acting out” usually refers to problem behaviour that is more severe than basic misbehaviour, such as physical aggression, property destruction, verbal aggression, or other forms of aggression. Acting out is defined by the American Psychological Association as “an excessive behavioural display of emotions that releases tension or communicates these emotions in a veiled or indirect manner.” Acting out is disruptive at any age and in any context, and it frequently necessitates official behaviour intervention. Parents may also use the following terms to describe this behaviour:

• Hostile or violent words or actions directed at another person are referred to as aggression.
• Defiance: Openly defying or refusing to respect authority officials
• Behaviour that is disruptive: Uncooperative or unpleasant behaviour that causes others to be inconvenienced
• Meltdowns are a strong reaction to stressful circumstances.
• Behaviour that is antagonistic: By being argumentative or unwilling to cooperate, you are resisting direction or rules.
• Temper tantrum: An emotional outburst characterised by crying and yelling.

While children act out

There are a variety of reasons why children behave badly. Often, the motivation for acting out is not visible, such as hunger or exhaustion, but rather lies deep within. Some children “act out” because of unrecognised sensory issues such as sensory processing disorder. Another cause for “acting out” may be frustration due to undiagnosed or untreated learning disabilities. There are some children who “act out” as a means of getting attention -positive or negative -from adults.

What should you do if your child is acting out?

Some specialists feel that before imposing a consequence or considering treatment, you should explore the fundamental cause of the behaviour. Others say that you will not always be able to interpret a child’s conduct. After all, children are not always logical.

When your youngster misbehaves, consider the following suggestions:

• Set clear goals and expectations: Make sure your kids and teens understand what you expect of them and the consequences if they misbehave. After that, make certain you follow through.
• Provide repercussions: Consequences should, in general, be swift, consistent, and age-appropriate.
• Stay calm: It’s critical to stay calm and in control when your children act out, even if you have to take a few deep breaths first.
• Get help: If your child’s behaviour does not change or appears to be getting worse, you should discuss your concerns with your child’s paediatrician.