Questions about why children act the way they do. See the tag [discipline] about enforcing your rules.
7
votes
3answers
120 views
What are good ways to begin preparing a child for a new baby?
I have a 4 and a half month old, so this won't be applicable for a while, but I would like to raise my son with the idea that he won't be an only child forever. I want my children to have a good ...
7
votes
2answers
101 views
Why did these two pre-schoolers swap their tantrum behaviour?
I have just noticed this in 2 boys, aged 3,4.
The 3 year old used to throw tantrums quite frequently over trivial matters (such as me holding the ball I'm throwing in the right rather than the left ...
7
votes
1answer
126 views
How to change a one track mind?
My daughter is eight years old, but due to her cerebral palsy, she has the approximate mentality of a three year-old. She also has an extreme need for routine. Most of the time that isn't an issue ...
6
votes
6answers
304 views
How to get my sister to use correct spelling while typing on computer?
I am sure that I am treading on eggshells here as this is a matter of opinion, but please do read on.
I absolutely resent when people use incorrect spelling for 90% of their words, on purpose. My ...
6
votes
5answers
585 views
How Should I React to an Indecisive Toddler?
I'm looking for anyone who might have had experience with an indecisive toddler. It happens mostly when tired but I'll ask him if he wants something and he will say no. Then when I go to put it away ...
6
votes
3answers
182 views
7 year old boy who uses bad language
I am at a loss as to what to do with my seven-year-old son. He constantly uses bad words. Occasionally, he uses curse words but mostly it is words like "dumb," "idiot," "stupid," etc. At first I ...
6
votes
3answers
228 views
How do you teach a toddler not to share?
Normally, my son (2 years old) does very well sharing with other kids. In fact, he's remarkably social, even with children he's never met before.
And therein lies the problem.
On a recent trip to ...
6
votes
4answers
175 views
What should be done when your child wakes up from a nap and is extremely irritable?
We have a daughter who takes naps and (usually) wakes up extremely cranky and irritable. She is 1 month away from being 3. Because she is so irritable, she'll usually cry when she wakes up. Depending ...
6
votes
4answers
5k views
When should an infant stop sucking on her hands?
My little girl about 3 months old and she already mouths quite frequently on her hands. Should we try to discourage this behavior now (by pulling her hand away when we find her doing it), or wait ...
6
votes
2answers
186 views
Typical frequency of discplinary issues for a kindergartener?
My five year-old son just started kindergarten a week ago, and has already committed two infractions serious enough for the teacher to bring to our attention: once throwing a serious tantrum, and ...
6
votes
2answers
481 views
How to go about regaining the trust of my child?
Having experienced parental alienation syndrome, my child is very reticent and unresponsive to my attempts in rebuilding our relationship. The condition is very much like sulking, but with an ...
6
votes
2answers
161 views
How do you curb “tattletale” behavior in a toddler?
My 2-year-old son seems to be fascinated by the behavior problems of other children. He will tell anyone and everyone around that such-and-such was bad, and if he sees another child having a temper ...
6
votes
5answers
237 views
To medicate or not to medicate?
My son is a bright, enthusiastic, caring, extrovert, who also meets the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. He is social and has good friends. We put him in Montessori because the regular classroom wasn't ...
6
votes
3answers
159 views
How (and when) do you teach a child patience?
My son, 2 and a half, clearly does not grok the concept of waiting for something.
If he asks for something, and I say "okay, I'll give you x right after we finish doing y", he'll say okay, and then ...
6
votes
4answers
777 views
How to teach the importance of being considerate?
I am having difficulty showing and explaining how to be considerate and thoughtful of other's feelings.
How can I teach a child to be consciously thoughtful and observant of other people?
Or
What ...
6
votes
1answer
81 views
How to handle fighting twins
I have twin boys aged 15 months. They normally fights for a toy/ or anything new. Earlier it was a slap on the others head with the toy or hand but now they have started biting each other. Is there ...
6
votes
2answers
195 views
How can I encourage my 4.5 year old daughter to eat without needing tons of time along with play?
It seems that our daughter is not so fond of most foods. She is fond of milk though - any kind of milk, cow, goat, even soy. While eating I get the feeling she is bored. She eats very slowly and not ...
6
votes
1answer
137 views
How do you handle a pre-schooler who tries to use excuses to justify his behavior?
My boy is creeping out of 5 1/2. Right now we're dealing with a phase of "Justifications" We tell him not to do something but he starts with, "I'm just" or follows up with "It was an accident"
I ...
5
votes
5answers
407 views
What makes a kid turn bully, and how to prevent him from turning into a bully?
I have heard about bullies in schools, haven't ever seen or faced them in real
life though.
I would like to know what makes a kid bully, and how to prevent him from
becoming a bully?
5
votes
5answers
5k views
Can temper tantrums indicate a behavior problem?
I understand that temper tantrums are relatively normal for many children.
However, some children seem to have far more temper tantrums than other children their age, and others far fewer.
Can ...
5
votes
6answers
566 views
Why is my one month old kicking, grunting and eventually crying when I hold her?
My 1 month old daughter has starting something I am trying to understand. While I am holding her, either in a blanket or not, she will start grunting and kicking her legs. Crying usually starts soon ...
5
votes
5answers
255 views
How do you prepare for the “terrible twos”?
I keep hearing about how bad things get once a child enters the "terrible twos". I know quite a few parents who claim that the age is just a natural time for frequent temper tantrums, and non-stop ...
5
votes
5answers
638 views
How do I teach my child to express his frustration?
My son is two and testing his boundaries. In general, I'm comfortable with that and have no problem with him getting frustrated when he's not allowed to do something. Unfortunately, his normal mode ...
5
votes
5answers
268 views
How should I deal with my toddler's difficult behavior towards food?
My daughter is almost 15 months old and has always been a small eater. She was breastfed for the first 5 months then solids were gradually introduced. It went okay for the first few weeks but soon it ...
5
votes
2answers
349 views
How should I respond to my daughter's impolite behavior?
My daughter is 5 years old. She often "plays" rudely with me. For example, she'll kick me, and I cannot explain clearly to her that the behavior is impolite.
How should I respond when she behaves ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
How to stop my 8 year old to cry every time she's frustrated
My 8 years old daughters is usually very good.
Although in the last few months she started to cry more and more each time she can't have something she wants. The odd thing is that it's something she ...
5
votes
2answers
174 views
How can I stop my pre-schooler from whining?
My 3 year old son has been whining a lot. We make him rephrase and say it in an appropriate voice, but this has been going on for about a month. Are there any other ideas of how to handle this?
5
votes
7answers
346 views
Should our 3 year old boy be made to look at me while I am talking (during discipline)?
Our little boy tends to get 3 minutes on the naughty spot when he's done something wrong. After this time one of us tries to explain why he's been naughty spotted and what he should do differently ...
5
votes
3answers
253 views
Should I discourage my son from “stealing” toys from Let's Rock Elmo?
My 15 month old son has Let's Rock Elmo, which includes drums, microphone, and tambourine for Elmo to play.
However, my son has several times decided that he wanted the instrument Elmo was "using" at ...
5
votes
2answers
208 views
What are guidelines for parents to use in giving advice/guidance to older teens?
My friend asked me for guidance regarding her son, so I am passing the question on.
Her very talented son is a senior in high school. Since it is his last year at home, he feels that he no longer ...
5
votes
3answers
299 views
How do I teach my toddler not to stuff her cheeks with food?
My 20-month-old daughter, given the opportunity, will stuff her cheeks full of food she likes (especially cheese, raising, or green beans) to the point where it's difficult for her to chew or swallow. ...
5
votes
2answers
155 views
How do I handle my toddler's temper tantrums?
I have a 19-month-old daughter. She is a very active child, and usually very well behaved. But in recent times I have noticed that she is constantly whining and also throwing temper tantrums - if she ...
5
votes
1answer
67 views
Is it considered harmful in the longer run to frighten the child so that he behaves the way we want?
Not sure if there is a cultural difference. In our family it is considered normal to frighten the child so that he behaves the way we want.
Example-
Parent: Eat that quickly or the God will punish ...
5
votes
1answer
82 views
How can parents improve a child's behavior outside their presence?
This question is hard to word correctly without sounding like we're trying to avoid responsibility. That's not the case. The issue is that our children behave better for us than for their teachers. ...
5
votes
3answers
191 views
Should I try and prevent my child from becoming like me (in some aspects)?
As an adult I realize I am not perfect. I have my "glitches". One of them is that I am too shy and an introvert to people that I do not know well (somewhat extrovert to friends and family). Would I ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
How can I get my 7 m/o to stop rubbing her eyes?
We have observed our 7 month old rubbing her eyes ever since we can remember. She does this especially when she's tired, but also when she's bored or starting to get frustrated.
She'll oftentimes rub ...
5
votes
1answer
295 views
How does a child develop “handed-ness”?
I've noticed that my son generally experiments fine motor skills initially using his left-hand (stacking, eating with utensils, coloring) and then shifts to using his right more often. I'm honestly ...
5
votes
2answers
526 views
How can we help my 7 year old quit sucking her thumb?
My daughter who is now 7 is still sucking her thumb. It is a great embarrassment to her and she always talks about how it is her big secret from her friends. We have tried the finger nail polish, ...
5
votes
1answer
99 views
How to address hemming and hawing?
Our six year old son has difficulty paying attention, so we often quiz him afterward about things he was supposed to be paying attention to. He has started hemming and hawing for a long time (like a ...
4
votes
3answers
151 views
How to deal with my son who always wants to have lights on when we go to bed?
I have a 3 year old son.
Whenever we go to sleep, he will start crying when we turn off the lights and insists that lights be turned on when he is trying to sleep. So, we keep it on. When he falls ...
4
votes
4answers
193 views
What should my collgeaue do to stop her 20 year old son from smoking?
What are some ways to stop a 20 year old boy from smoking? We know that smoking is bad and cause all sort of cancers (such as lung / heart / throat cancer), are there ways to stop or discourage the ...
4
votes
3answers
176 views
Daughter is whining for every small thing since her brother was born
My daughter is 2.5 years old. When asking for things like "I want more water in the bottle" she used to ask nicely and even with "please" occasionally. All good and dandy.
Since her brother was born ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
How important is stability / change / lack of change for children?
I frequently see people around the web supporting various arguments with the statement "children need stability." Is there any evidence for this, and more importantly can there be such a thing as too ...
4
votes
2answers
210 views
My 12 year old has been blowing off homework, and now is writing on his clothes! Is this normal?
My 12 year old has been blowing off homework, and now is writing on his clothes!
He plays hockey, which he loves. I stopped letting him play for his teams when his report card came back with bad ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
How do you teach a 1 year old to stop biting people?
I have a friend with a one year old that bites people, maybe as a sign of affection, but doesn't know that it hurts others. How can his parents discipline him regarding this behavior?
Do you try to ...
4
votes
5answers
428 views
How can I get my primary-schooler to remember to turn off the light?
I have a 8 year old kid with ADHD. He never turns off the lights when he leaves a room. Never. It's a pet peeve of mine when lights are kept on when not in use. His younger sister has learned and ...
4
votes
3answers
56 views
How do we discourage our infant from pulling hair?
My 4.5 month old son has recently started to grab hold of hair. It seems to be out of comfort or for stability rather than for 'fun', but we would like to discourage this behavior.
Is there a way to ...
4
votes
1answer
804 views
Why does my 3 year old keep acting like a baby, and should I try to actively stop it?
My daughter is 3 but often (and we are sure, concisely) acts like a baby, making gurgling whining noises, crawling about etc. Apart from being very irritating sounds from a three year old we don't ...
4
votes
1answer
84 views
2 Year old son like hitting , bitting and fighting [duplicate]
My son is two years old now. Somehow he likes fighting. His mornings start with hitting and biting. I know for him it's a game and he enjoys it. Also, sometimes he becomes angry and throws whatever is ...
4
votes
1answer
141 views
When to tell a child he didn't really win
My five year-old son has started this phase of turning everything into a contest. Partially this a result of our encouragement. We will sometimes "race" him when he is dragging his feet and slowing ...
