Preventing Behavior Problems In Children

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Prevent Behavior Problems In Children

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Parenting through divorce can become more challenging if behavior difficulties surface in children. The following checklist offers tips on how to understand and prevent behavior problems in children.

1. Help children talk about their feelings, accept them and be understanding.
2. Help them to see why they are behaving as they are.
3. Distinguish between feelings (which are okay) and acting out feelings in destructive behavior (not okay).
4. Set clearly defined rules and limits for behavior.
5. Consistently enforce consequences if rules are broken (do not use physical punishment).
6. Teach children to remove themselves from the situation when losing control.
7. Help them find acceptable outlets for their anger.
8. End conflict with your spouse in your child’s presence.
9. Be supportive; reassure children of your love, and work on building their self-esteem.
10. Realize that behavior problems are symptoms of children’s pain and distress.

1.	Help children talk about their feelings, accept them and be understanding.
2.	Help them to see why they are behaving as they are.
3.	Distinguish between feelings (which are okay) and acting out feelings in destructive behavior (not okay).
4.	Set clearly defined rules and limits for behavior.
5.	Consistently enforce consequences if rules are broken (do not use physical punishment).
6.	Teach children to remove themselves from the situation when losing control.
7.	Help them find acceptable outlets for their anger.
8.	End conflict with your spouse in your child’s presence.
9.	Be supportive; reassure children of your love, and work on building their self-esteem.
10.	Realize that behavior problems are symptoms of children’s pain and distress.