Children exhibit anger issues for a variety of reasons. In some cases, anger problems stem from perceived unfairness or a general lack of attention. Other times, genuine psychological conditions are at the heart of such issues. Regardless of what’s causing your child to engage in angry outbursts, you have to respond to the problem in a helpful, constructive manner.
How to Help Children Prone to Angry Outbursts
Parents looking for effective ways to deal with intense anger on the part of children should consider the following pointers.
Never Reward Outbursts
Being denied something they want is among the most common reasons children engage in temper tantrums. Since the goal in throwing tantrums is getting parents to give in to their demands, you’d be wise to avoid doing so. Granted, when a child throws a loud tantrum, it can be tempting to give them what they want and be done with the matter. While desiring a return to peace and quiet is certainly understandable, rewarding tantrums are practically guaranteed to blow up in your face.
If a child discovers that throwing tantrums is an effective way to get what they want, more tantrums are sure to follow. Such behavior can also persist well into adulthood if not corrected during childhood. So, no matter how tempting placating an angry outburst may be, it’s essential to realize that this is a short-term solution and is likely to do more harm than good in the long run.
Get to the Bottom of the Issue
If you’re unclear on the root cause(s) of your child’s anger problems, you may need to enlist the aid of seasoned pros. For starters, you should get in touch with your family physician. In all likelihood, this person will be able to refer you to a skilled therapist, child psychologist, or other mental health professional. On the lookout for first-rate physicians, Cincinnati-based families are urged to search for “general family medical practice Green Township.”
Be Mindful of Your Own Anger
Children generally emulate the behaviors they observe in adults. So, if you commonly respond to assorted problems and inconveniences with anger, don’t be surprised if your child starts behaving similarly. If you’re unclear on whether or not you suffer from anger management issues, be extra mindful of the way you respond to things you find annoying, aggravating, or unpleasant. You should also consider asking the people around you if they think you have trouble managing your anger. (Be prepared to receive responses you don’t particularly like.)
If you conclude that you have trouble controlling your anger, consider seeking appropriate mental health assistance. Therapy and anger-management courses can prove particularly helpful in this endeavor. In addition to helping you keep your anger in check, mental health assistance can provide you with a bevy of practical tools for dealing with your child’s anger as well.
Identify Calming Activities for Your Child
If your child has trouble calming down when engaged in an outburst, take care to identify activities they may find relaxing and put together an effective cooldown routine. Drawing pictures of their feelings, singing songs, and reading books are all examples of activities that can calm children down when they’re in the middle of throwing tantrums.
Avoid Showing Anger in Response to Their Anger
It’s easy to see why many parents become annoyed or actively angry when dealing with inconsolably angry children. However, while responding to anger with more anger may prove satisfying the moment, it will only serve to make your child even angrier and reinforce the idea that intense anger is an appropriate response. If your child’s tantrums entail violent or destructive behavior, they should certainly face the consequences, but shouting and physical punishment need to be off the table.
Dealing with an angry child can be a trying experience for many parents. The more intense and frequent a child’s outbursts become, the more frustrated and distraught parents are likely to feel. However, while this may seem like a hopeless situation, there are several ways to handle anger issues in kids. Parents on the hunt for ways to keep their little ones’ anger issues in check would do well to put the tips discussed above to good use.
