Q&A for How to Deal With Annoying Kids

Don't stoop to their level when they say hurtful things—this won't accomplish anything, and will only hurt your children in the long run. Instead, talk about how their words hurt you, and why it's not okay for them to talk to you that way.

Let them know that what they said isn't it okay. If you stay silent, you're essentially giving them the green light to talk to you that way.

Step away from the conversation so you can calm down. Say something like, "It's not okay to talk to me that way. Period. I'm going to head outside for a few minutes and spend some time by the water."

Kindergartners are notorious for control issues! While there isn't an easy fix, I have a few suggestions on how to make it more bearable. Suggest you both read a book, at the same time (different books) and when you read yours, read it with a very dramatic voice, that way she will be more inclined to listen to you. (She might listen to you read, and also deny that she cares, and ignore you if you ask her about it, as the older child, just try to be patient.) You could also ask if she wants to switch off with you - she reads a page, you read a page, etc.

Say, "I learned through experience," or "I read it in a book." If they keep asking, ignore them.

Kids are kids and they mimic. Back sass is usually mimicking, more likely, their older siblings or even their parents. Punish them with a time out and a removal of a privilege for about a week and tell them it is not polite or respectful to give back sass. Monitor the time out and make sure they stay in their area. If they begin to cry, let them. If they begin to throw a temper tantrum, remove them and put them into a room with little things to throw in it.

Because that is not your job. It is the job of the children's parents or childcare providers (teachers, daycare workers, etc.). Parents have their own particular ideas about how their children should be disciplined and what is best for them, and it's none of your business, even if you find their children annoying. If a child is misbehaving, simply approach their parent or guardian and explain the situation.

If you don't share a room, use your room and shut/lock your door. Explain to mom and or dad that you need alone space and time. But also make time for your brother. Teach him at this age things you like and he will share interests with you as he grows making him a little less annoying.

Discipline him whenever he shouts and/or expresses aggressive behavior. Be calm when you do this, as children often emulate what they see. Also, see if you can't teach him better, more effective and dignified ways to express displeasure, like saying "Tom, that toy is mine. Your toys are over there. You can play with them. If you want to play with my toys, you must ask me first" as opposed to yelling and/or hitting him.

Shake hands with the parents first so the kids know you're okay. Then you can crouch down to their level and say hi. Don't get right in their faces and try not to be loud. Small children can be very shy around people they don't know, so don't take it personally if they decide to run off and play. It might take a while for them to warm up to you.

The answer will depend on the age of the child. If they're an infant, make sure they don't need to be changed. If not, check for a fever or other signs of illness. If nothing apparent is wrong, they could just be tired. If the child is older, try getting them to calm down enough to tell you what they want.

Try to talk to a trusted adult about this. In the meantime, keep ignoring him the best you can.

It's not illegal to touch them, but it is illegal to touch them in a sexual or violent manner. Children need to be protected, and one way to do this is to make sure there are consequences for those who hurt them, physically or psychologically.

Take her by the hand and bring her into her room, bring your body down to her level, and let her know (in a deep, calm voice) that she is going to have some time out for crying. A few minutes later, go back into her room and demand an apology and a kiss on the cheek.

Unless you've been put into the position of a babysitter or teacher, the parents haven't chosen to trust you with their child. They might want to discipline their child in a specific way. If you want to, tell the child's parents about the behavior.

I don't think the author intended any harm. Since many women do stay at home with their kids or take on the majority of the childcare work, the author was probably just looking at it from that point of view. Many men do take on a lot of childcare responsibilities though.

Clap your hands together and try to lead them in a song about how mommy will come home. It sounds cheesy, but it works. Then offer a tiny distraction like a hug, a TV show, a cookie, or a walk around the block. Usually they will get over it pretty quickly. If they continue crying for a long time, call their mom and ask her to reassure them that she'll be back.

Touching someone else's child may be interpreted as something aggressive, dangerous, or inappropriate, even if it wasn't intended that way. You could end up in legal trouble as well.

Try to ignore them, or tell them to stop being rude and act like children rather than animals.

He may be trying to get your attention. Try spending more time with him doing things you both like. If that doesn't seem to help, you may want to tell his parents about it to see if they can help figure out what's going on.

He's probably energetic and impulsive. Some kids are like that and they outgrow it. Try to maintain eye contact as you tell the child that you don't like it. Don't raise your voice, as that will make you lose respect in his eyes. Try to treat him like an adult - shake hands when you see him next. Don't talk down to him. Being calm yourself will increase his calmness.

Usually theres a reason, so go through the list to eliminate the most likely possibilities. For example, if the child is hungry, feed him.

If you can, it would be good to talk with her about it. Review your actions. Did you appear to give her any valid reason for doing this? Try to maintain a harmless, gentle facade in similar situations.

Yes, this could be dangerous to the child if the person they are alone with is a child molester, or it could be dangerous to an innocent person if a child (for whatever reason) decided later to accuse them of doing something inappropriate that they did not do. It does happen.

Because parenting is hard! People do the best they can, but are often worried that they aren't doing a good job. It's easy to get defensive when you're insecure.

Ask the parents to call or send a voice message saying that you are in charge. If necessary, ask the parents to return home to make this clear to the kids.

All daycare centers have their own rules for child discipline. It's important to have a clear understanding of what is and is not allowed at the center you will be working at. Additionally, learn the daycare regulations for your state - your boss should provide that information to you when you first start working. If this information is not provided, ask for it.

9 year olds are starting to go through an awkward phase and will tend to be annoying. You should talk to your parents about your younger siblings annoying you, and hopefully they will try and help you find ways to cope. A 9 year old shouldn't have to "obey" their older sister, unless the older sister has been designated in charge as a babysitter for a period of time.

Try more strict discipline. If they are young, consider timeouts and removing privileges, and if they are older, take away devices. Utilize resources like Focus on the Family's website, which has lots to offer parents looking to raise kind and respectful children.

Children are naturally curious and this is something you just have to deal with. Punishing or scolding them for this can cause harm and shut down their natural want to learn and discover new things. If you find it annoying, then make a time like at breakfast or before bed where they can ask all their questions, and if they ask during another time, just tell them that you need to think about it and will tell them later.