Friday #MentalHealth #MythBuster: My Child Yelling & Hitting Me Is Not A Sign Of Worse Things To Come

#Children with severe defiant behaviors such as kicking, hitting, spitting or torturing others need structured, firm, yet loving reinforcement

#Children who have severe tantrums or break serious rules may cause a threat to others around them. Talk with them about how their behaviors affect others

#Children with oppositional behaviors show difficulty following rules on a consistent basis

#Adults should set clear and consistent rules for children. Adults should also be clear on the consequences of rules that are broken

#If adults do not enforce rules with children, especially ones with oppositional behaviors, they could be contributing to more challenges for the child later on

#Parents with more than 1 child should set limits for all of their children. The limits should also be age-appropriate

#Young children who are defiant may demonstrate frequent temper tantrums, while teens may break more serious societal rules

#Helping children to follow through on rules begins at home and should continue in to school

#Behavior is learned and can change. Positive changes should be rewarded, even through positive affirmation

Asha, Licensed Mental Health Specialist