Talking back is a major problem faced by parents, when children start dictating terms. The problem becomes frequent at the time of teen years, when children are at the verge of attaining maturity. It is quite a tender age as kids gradually become aware of the complexities of life and try to figure out what is right and what is wrong; owing to their physical and mental developments. Thus, the situation has to be dealt with utmost dexterity. It is necessary for the parents to know that rather than being forceful, they need to be friendly with their child. Irritation and anger will not take them anywhere, with the problem being intact. To know how to stop your kids from talking back, read the article.
Ways to Stop Children from Talking Back
- Keeping calm and composed is one of the prime requisites for taming your child. Do not indulge in any kind of word wars with him and never reciprocate in the same manner. Rather tell him about his offending behavior in a cool manner, so that he feels guilty.
- Do not pay heed to what your child is saying, if he talks to you in an inappropriate manner. Immediately stop talking to him and decline if he asks you something, telling him that you are ready only when he learns to behave and be nice.
- If the child does this in public, don’t create a scene by confronting him then and there. Rather, take him to a quiet spot and tell him that if he does anything like this ever again, action will be taken against him.
- For pacifying your child, give him choices for what you want him to do, rather than forcing everything on him. Make sure you give him acceptable choices, something you feel appeals to his taste as well.
- In case of emergency, draw the line. If you do not approve of any of your child’s behavior, tell him straight away. Let him know what is expected from him and what not. Set the limits for his behavior and conduct in the house.
- Also tell your child that every thought or opinion does not need to be given words to. There are certain things that take their due course with time or can be better explained with other activities.
- During a heated discussion, try and tell the child that you understand his feelings, even if you don’t approve of them. At the same time, let him know that aggressive behavior won’t take him anywhere. Ask him what the problem is and try to arrive at a compromise.
- After the fire wagons have pacified fire on both sides, take out time for a deeper session. Acknowledge his feelings and his behavior on the issue, but at the same time make him realize that whatever he did was wrong and there could have been a better way of communicating things.
- Instead of the problem, keep your attention on the solution to the problem. Get into the details of things and try to figure out the probable reason for your child’s defiant behavior. This will help you to know the child’s side of the story as well, thereby helping in finding a solution.