How to Discipline a Strong Willed Child

Too bad there's no parenting manual with all the answers. If you're the mom or dad of a strong-willed child, you probably wish you had one for those especially trying days, like when your defiant son refuses to wear his jacket in below-freezing temperatures or your demanding daughter begs for a monster-size brownie at bedtime. Don't give in to the ensuing battle just yet. A few techniques can help you effectively discipline even the most stubborn child.

Instructions

    • 1

      Take time to build a healthy relationship with your strong-willed daughter. It's often easy to succumb to frustration and to concentrate only on the arguments, timeouts and tantrums. A one-on-one dinner date at a local restaurant, an afternoon of puzzles or a campfire talk might be just what you both need, according to KidsHealth.

    • 2

      Reinforce your child positively. Children are more likely to repeat good behaviors when they are praised for them and clear about what those behaviors are, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Use a colorful sticker chart to acknowledge your son and tell him how proud you are of his kind and respectful behavior. Consider a fun family activity or special outing after he earns a certain number of stickers.

    • 3

      Allow your child to learn natural consequences as much as possible. Parents are often quick to rescue their kids from unpleasantness. Sometimes, though, it might be best for your stubborn daughter to learn things on her own. For instance, if she insists on carrying too many toys at one time even after you tell her to take only two, it may be a good lesson for her to learn that toys can break if dropped or mishandled, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    • 4

      Use timeouts as often as needed, especially with younger children, suggests KidsHealth. Sometimes, both kids and parents need a few minutes to calm down or to process feelings. Instead of reacting in anger or arguing, send your strong-willed child to a designated place in your home for quiet, peaceful reflection. After you both are calm, talk about what happened, re-emphasizing rules, clarifying misunderstandings and issuing a punishment or negative consequence for any intentional, defiant behavior that occurred.

    • 5

      Mean what you say. If you tell your son he will lose a toy for the rest of the day if he continues to throw a tantrum, then you must follow through. When tears start to fall, it might be tempting to give in, but your child will respect you more if he knows you love him enough to keep your word, according to KidsHealth.

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