The way you raise a child is what defines successful parenting. It is however far from effortless. It comes with oodles of difficulties that demand our patience. One such difficulty that every parent usually stumbles upon is behavior management. When the child exhibits an unfamiliar behavior, the parent ends up making a hasty decision such as punishment or yells. It is in fact, notorious for their mental health and parent-child relationship as well.
Effective behavior management involves guiding the child’s behavior toward a proper and appropriate way of approaching in any situation. No punishments or strict rules, far from being helpful, are going to help them out and will add fuel to the fire. So next time, when your child showcases inappropriate behavior, be on the lookout for these three things – i.e. ABC., says Dawn Griffith, the Director and CEO of the Family Enhancement Centre from Brampton, Ontario.
Dawn Griffith and her team are committed to helping people to achieve a state of wellness, dealing with their difficult times with effective strategies, and recovering from serious setbacks in their lives. She explained the ABC further, as we tapped into her knowledge.
A for Antecedents:
“The behaviors displayed by the children are often an outburst of some triggers. So first analyze what happened right before the outburst,” says Dawn Griffith. Figuring out the trigger forms the foundation of effective behavior management. It helps you find out when such bad behaviors are likely to occur and avoid them effectively in the future.
Keep in mind that, a thoughtful analysis of the triggers fosters a way better interaction that encourages the children to adopt healthier behavioral patterns.
B for Behaviors:
“For the children, behavior is a way to communicate. When your child is acting out, remember, they simply try to communicate with you through their behaviors”, says Dawn. So try to analyze what your child is trying to tell you. And, then determine whether to encourage or discourage them (behaviors) to preclude them from reoccurring.
C for Consequences:
Consequences are the immediate outcomes of that behavior. And, here’s where you as a parent should use your influence. It is because the way you respond with respect to behavior will have a significant impact on their future, as well as their behavior.
Moreover, you must understand the reasons for your children to behave in that way. Only by identifying triggers and behaviors, you can realize what they actually need and determine the way you can respond better. “Responding positively to ‘bad’ behavior can help your child feel understood. This bestows the children with the confidence to express themselves with “good behavior”, says Dawn.
Nevertheless, it can be challenging to react positively when you get heated up with emotions like anger. In such cases, seeking professional help will lend a hand to both you and your child. Effective counseling will help your children foster good behaviors and express themselves effectively. It also eases better communication and understanding within your family. So it will build a positive environment that supports their emotional growth and mental health.
To book an appointment with experts at the Family Enhancement Centre, visit their website: https://www.tfec.ca/
