How to Discipline a Violent Child

Dealing with a violent child can be frightening for the adult involved for several reasons, and administering discipline is challenging. You may fear for the safety of the violent child or for the safety of those nearby, including yourself. Quick action may be necessary during violent episodes to prevent serious injury or damage. If you are parenting a violent child, or a violent child is frequently in your care, seek professional training before attempting physical restraints. If the violent child is not your child, know policies before taking any physical action yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Two or more people
  • Telephone

Instructions

    • 1

      Call for help immediately before confronting a violent child and attempting discipline. Help may be your in-home therapist, your spouse, older children, other employees or the police. If the disciplinary process goes badly, you will have help on the way.

    • 2

      Acknowledge the child's anger and validate the feelings to try to get the child talking to diffuse the anger.

    • 3

      Ask the child to go to the quiet or safe room if you have established one. If you do not have a safe area, and your child frequently becomes angry, then you need to make one. A safe room may be a large closet, an empty bedroom or other area that has stuffed animals, a journal and possibly pillows so the child cannot get hurt while diffusing the violence.

    • 4

      Offer to roll your child in a blanket if your child benefits from this type of sensory input. Never cover the child's head, neck or shoulders, and do not leave the child unattended for even a second. If your child prefers brushing and you have a sensory brush, try brushing to calm the child.

    • 5

      Have the child transported to the emergency room if you cannot calm the child, and request admission for a medicine check or suicide prevention to a psychiatric hospital. If the child has damaged property or injured someone, ask the police to try to admit the child to the county juvenile home until a hearing can be held.

    • 6

      Give the child extra chores to earn money so that any damages can be repaid. Privileges such as phone and computer time should be curtailed until retribution is made.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Ask Parents for a Mature Video Game
      Youre dying to own the brand new video game that came out for your gaming system, but the box has that M for Mature on it, and your parents have a no M-rating games rule. There are some things you can do to convince your parents youre ready for that
    • Overweight Teen Being Teased
      Q My 13-year-old son is overweight and one of his friends makes fun of him. This boy often teases him in front of my sons other friends. Ive told my son to ignore these comments, but the teasing hasnt stopped I told him to warn the boy to stop teasin
    • How to Discipline a Strong Willed 11-Year-Old Child
      A strong-willed preteen may be the one nagging you incessantly to buy a coveted item or to let her participate in a desired activity. Many strong-willed kids display stubborn behavior to get their way. Although it often is a challenge, your preteens