How to Deal With Arrogant Children

Children who are "no-it-alls" need an attitude makeover. These children are self-centered and believe they are always right and everyone else is wrong. Parents need to deal with arrogant children when they are young. According to "Psychology Today," arrogant and rude children are on the increase in America largely because of parenting practices. To keep their children from being whiny and self-centered, parents need to teach humility and reassess their overindulgent parenting.

Instructions

    • 1

      Praise children for good behavior. Give them attention when they perform acts of kindness, such as helping a younger sibling. Positive reinforcement works best, and children will learn that good behavior gains them parental attention. You do not want to get into the habit of paying attention only to bad behavior.

    • 2

      Spend spontaneous quality time with your child when she is well behaved. This is not payment for the good behavior, but it is best to give positive attention to your child when she is acting well and not arrogant.

    • 3

      Ignore crying when it is needless. Check to make sure your child is not hurt, but if he is crying for attention, walk away. Too much attention to a "crybaby" signals to your child that you pay attention to whining and self-centered behavior.

    • 4

      Be less proud yourself, and stop your own bragging. Most arrogant children are by-products of parents being too proud of their child's every little achievement. Parents flaunt and show off their children, who learn that they need to perform in order to receive the attention. Show your children by example the importance of being humble yourself.

    • 5

      Sign up your child, if she is old enough, to volunteer at a soup kitchen or a hospital, which will help her learn not to be so self-centered. Sign her up for a new activity such as the chess club, where children will be smarter and better, so she will understand she is not the smartest in the world.

    • 6

      Give a timeout to younger children when they are acting up, such as biting another child. However, it must be a proper timeout. Sit your child in a chair for three minutes and ignore him. If he tries to leave, silently put him back. After the three minutes, say that he has been good and do not further discuss the punishment. Say "we do not bite," and your child will understand that you mean business. You do not tolerate bad behavior.

    • 7

      Role play with older children to teach them that acting arrogant is wrong. Pretend to be a friend of the child's and show examples of how the friend felt when your child was acting boastful. Ask your child how she would feel when another friend was acting superior to her.

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