How To Deal With A Child Talking Back?

Proper discipline is one of the most important elements in a child's development. With proper discipline, children will have self-control, self-motivation, and emotional stability. Your child will carry this on as he grows old, and it will mold him into a better person. As a parent, I make sure to provide my children with the right amount of discipline while they are still young. So, I researched the reasons why children talk back and ways on how to handle such situations. In this article, I will discuss the challenges, tips, and ideas on how to discipline a child talking back.

How to deal with a child talking back? Dealing with a child talking back requires your full attention to the many details involving your interaction with the child. Being aware of these details, you can adjust the way you interact with your child that will help change their behavior.

Disciplining your child will require a lot of hard work and patience. By understanding the reason behind their talking back, you can close the gap between you and your child. Also, knowing the right approach can help your child understand that a temper tantrum is not a good way to get his needs met. In the rest of the article, you will get an idea of how to deal with a child talking back.

Reasons Why A Child Talks Back

In this section, I will discuss the reasons why children talk back to their parents. This can guide you to best understand why your child is talking back.

It’s important to know and understand the reasons behind your child’s actions. By being aware of why they act the way they do, you will be able to give the attention and proper discipline your child needs from you.

Testing Their Power

Children who talk back may somehow be testing their power and control over their parents. They may be experimenting and trying out if showing such behavior can get them what they want.

For example, they want their parents to buy them the toy they want. When their parents tell them no, they’ll start acting out—or talking back.

Feeling Disrespected By Parents

They may also be acting out because their parents keep bossing them around. When children feel like they are being disrespected, they’ll throw it back to their parents and disrespect them in return.

For example, their parents are requesting disrespectfully. Of course, the child’s initial reaction is to talk back and say he doesn’t want to do it. As they say, you will get what you give.

Growing Up In An Environment Where Respect Isn’t A Priority

Growing up in a house where respect is a big deal contributes a lot to how a child acts. To grow up in an environment where respect is a priority, the child will carry on the values and manners they’ve been taught.  

For example, you taught your child to be respectful of elderly people. As they grow old, they’ll bring with them the lesson that elderly people should be respected at all times no matter what the situation is.

Bad Mood

One of the basic reasons why a child is talking back may be because they are hungry, sleepy, or feeling grumpy. They may just be having a bad day.

This is why it’s important to always interact with your child to know why they are acting the way they do. For example, they weren’t able to sleep well the night before because of the dogs barking outside. This can cause a child to feel grumpy in the morning and have a sudden outburst.

Tips On How To Handle A Talking Back Situation

Children who talkback should be handled with care because they might continue this attitude and behavior as they grow older. It is essential for parents to be aware of how they should handle these kinds of situations. By being aware, it will be easier for both parents and their children to reconnect.

In brief, they are:

1. Keep Your Cool
2. Give Your Children Power
3. Give Your Children Attention
4. Set Some Rules

Keep Your Cool

When your child starts showing bad behavior, always keep your composure and act cool. Never lose your temper in front of your child because this will only mean that they got the best of you.

In their minds, they will have the idea that they won, and they will get what they want by acting out. So always show that you’re still in control when such situations happen, and then talk to them after to correct their behavior.

Give Your Children Power

Give them power instead of always bossing them around. Just because they are children doesn’t mean they can’t decide from time to time.

For example, they don’t want to wear the clothes you suggested. Let them decide for themselves and choose what they want to wear. This also applies to minor “choosing” events that will make them feel like they are in control.

Give Your Children Attention

Give your child the right amount of attention they need from you. Sometimes, the only reason why children are acting out is that they feel like they are not getting enough love and care.

By bonding with them and making them feel like you’re there when they need you, they will—most often than not—run to you when they have a problem.

Set Some Rules

Set some rules as early as you can. Make household rules and teach them good manners while they are still young.

This will also teach them the importance of following the rules. With this, they can someday contribute to the community and be a good citizen.

Advice On How To Deal With A Child Talking Back

When dealing with children talking back, you must discipline them the best way you can. You can consider using the 3 Rs as a consequence for their behavior. These are Related, Respectful, and Reasonable.

Related 

Your child’s punishment should be related to what he did. For example, he made a mess in his room, so he must clean it up in return.

Respectful 

Your child’s punishment shouldn’t involve shame or humiliation. If you shame your child after he’s done something wrong, it will lessen his ability to learn from what he did. Instead, he would focus on the blame and the humiliation.

Reasonable

Your child’s punishment should be reasonable enough for his age. It should be a task that your child can handle and still proportionate to his misbehavior.

Conclusion

There are a lot of things you can try to practice when dealing with a child talking back. However, the main solution to handling them properly lies within family bonding and interaction.

With enough family bonding and interaction, your child will surely be able to tell right from wrong. Your child will be able to practice good manners and discipline that you will teach him, and someday use them when he’s finally interacting with other people.

Related Questions

Is it okay to reward a child for good behavior? It is always good to reward a child for showing good behaviors. Rewards can encourage children to do more of what you want them to do.

What are the benefits of family bonding?

• Can improve a child’s academic performance
• Can help children develop parenting skills
• Less behavioral problems
• Less violence
• Less chance of drug abuse
• Greater happiness
• Greater self-confidence
• More chance of success