You may not find it surprising that many children will misbehave from time to time. When your child, however, is constantly showing concerning behaviors at home or in school, it may be important to reflect on possible contributing factors to their behavior. Studies show that a child’s home life is among the most powerful factors influencing their behavior. This means that you play an important role in your child’s life and may have a great deal of influence over your child’s behavior.

When Parenting Styles Clash

Each person is unique, with their own views, values and beliefs. It is only natural that many parents have different parenting styles. You may find yourself in a situation where you grounded your child, or confiscated a favorite toy as punishment. Your spouse may argue with you in front of the child or secretly give back the confiscated item a few hours later. This conflicting messages can be confusing for children. Children can have difficulty comprehending mixed or clashing messages, possibly leading them to wonder what they did wrong. These clashing parenting styles can confuse the meaning of discipline and can also distort your child’s concept of rewards, which can in turn reinforce misbehavior.

Conflicts Can Aggravate Behavior Problems

Since the family plays an important role in a child’s life, exposing your child to domestic conflicts may cause undue harm. Not fully understanding what’s causing the conflict, your child may even think that they are responsible for the conflicts between family members, possibly even more so when the conflicts are between their parents. Clashing parenting styles, marital discord, favoritism, sibling conflicts and/or rivalry can potentially confuse or anger your child. Not knowing how to handle the inner turmoil, your child one may act out in an attempt to express their misunderstood feelings or thoughts. Childhood misbehavior can be an indicator of distress related to stress, anxiety and even depression.

Protect Your Family from Further Tension

Childhood misbehavior does not only affect the child and you, the parents. It can also be affecting the entire household. While you may be in the best position to help your son or daughter, it may cause you excessive stress, reducing your abilities to function efficiently in your roles as a spouse, parent, worker, etc. You may even notice that your other children are arguing or disagreeing more frequently.

There is hope, treatment is available for childhood misbehavior with Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC. Your child may benefit from treatment, working with a licensed, independently contracted therapist who is unbiased and expertly skilled in child therapy. As a parent you may also benefit from learning and employing new strategies to modify your child’s behavior. Call CCS – Southern Pines, NC today and schedule your first appointment.

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• Can Your Child’s Clumsiness be a Sign that Your Child Needs Counseling?