Q&A for How to Deal With Disrespectful Children

Ask yourself how things got so out of control. Do you yell? Do you berate? Do you call the child names? If any of these are true, try to make some changes yourself in how you approach your child. Once you are calm, simply state, "I cannot talk with you while you won't listen." Let them cool down for a while. There is usually a reason a child does not listen.

Try not to yell. You cannot address rudeness with more rudeness. Establish some minimum ground rules in the home regarding courtesy and respect. Suggest your child takes some alone time when they seem out of control.

This varies from family to family. Ask yourself what you consider disrespectful. Ask the same of your child. Make a list with two columns so can identify what each of you finds disrespectful. You now have some common basis.

Out of control children need boundaries first and foremost. They are behaving this way because they do not establish boundaries for themselves. Ask yourself if this behavior is new or ongoing. Suggest your child calm down alone before entering into a conversation about their behavior.

It sounds like the roles in your relationship are reversed, and she has the upper hand. Reflect on why you think she is always rude; where did she pick that up? If the behavior is persistent, consider consulting a child therapist. Lying about child abuse is pretty serious!

If they listen to you, then you are halfway there, now you only have to focus on the stamping feet. Maybe you can let the angry face go for now. Let them know that the stamping feet means they are not really listening. Come up with a consequence if they continue to do it after a discussion.