How to Deal with an Argumentative Kid without Getting Angry

Child Psychologist In Melbourne

Dealing with an argumentative kid can be really tough. It can be very easy to get angry. It's a good thing there are effective methods that can help you stay calm as you deal with your kid.

1. When you start to get angry, don't say a word.

When your kiddo argues with you and you lose your cool, the best thing to do is to stop talking and go to another room to calm down. Dealing with a kid when you are angry can make matters worse. Anger can push to do or say something you will regret. This is why it is vital to deal with your child when you are calm. When you are calm you say, "Now I'm ready to talk. Can you please tell me what you need in a respectful tone?" If your child does the same, repeat the process. It takes time to train a child. Lengthen your patience and believe that it can be done.

2. Answer your child's question with a question.

When kids argue, they ask too many questions to find their way out of the house rules. They say, "Why can't I watch TV? Why are you being so strict?" Sometimes, questions are effective in getting parents to change their views. Kids are aware of this. Some kids love to argue, and they can argue for long hours using too many questions. This can weaken your resistance as a parent. The best strategy for this is to show genuine consideration for your child's feelings and gently throw back the question to him. You can say, "It sounds like you are annoyed with having to ask you to go to bed. Why do you think it's time for bed?"
This strategy is a subtle way to let him or her know that you're going to stick to the house rules. Kids will still argue long and hard. When your kid sees that you are serious with staying with the rules, gradually he will learn to stop fighting them. He will learn that arguing and fighting won't work.

3. Use the "What did I say" approach.

This technique is quite similar with the previous one. Your kid cannot argue with you if you refuse to engage. If you say, "Ok, it's time to sleep!" and your kids begins to argue: "I'm not sleepy!" you can gently say, "What did I say." Say it as many times as necessary. He will start to understand that you are serious with the rules. However, it may be more challenging to train kids as they become more independent. When you feel that the situation is too tough for you to manage, consider asking help from a psychologist for children in Melbourne.