Dissecting The Behavior Of An Annoying Kid

Learn the red flags of children’s annoying behavior and how to correct these. With accredited online colleges you can get the skills you need to properly diagnose behavioral issues with a degree in counseling.

At one point in time, we’ve all probably encountered “that annoying kid” — your child’s classmate, a neighbor, a godchild and even a complete stranger. When faced with a child whose behavior is annoying, it is easy to just ignore or stay away from the child. It is, however, a different story when the annoying child is yours.

While it may be easy to deal with “annoying adults” — say, by telling them off or even completely ignoring them — dealing with “annoying kids” can be quite challenging. What’s worse is if we, as parents, are not even aware of our children’s behavior.

The key is in knowing the difference between what is annoying and what is normal behavior for a child who is innately curious and inquisitive or just plain tired and cranky. Here are some tell-tale signs of a child whose behavior can get quite annoying:

• If the child knowingly does an act that is not appropriate or nice — inspite of knowing what is right and wrong.
• If the child ignores authority — does not follow or do a task that is asked.
• If a child has no sense of fear or anxiety, especially when reprimanded.
• If a child continues to do something even after being asked to stop.

A child is not born annoying. A child tends to grow up with an unpleasant or improper attitude if he or she is being spoiled too much. Children who are given everything and get their way all the time have difficulty adjusting to the times when they cannot get what they want. A child who isn’t given enough attention at home likewise tends to grow up annoying, as he may act up to be noticed by others.

Once we understand, or at least, know, the possible reasons why a child may be acting annoyingly, it will be easier for us to react when we encounter one. Here are the following ways to deal with the child:

1. Try to divert the child’s attention or energy to something else when he starts acting up. Example: “Okay, how about we build a tower using some blocks, instead?” Or, “How about we get something to eat first?” The behavior might be an isolated case and this is a positive way to putting a stop to the behavior vs reprimanding the child.
2. Address the child properly. If possible, isolate the child from any distractions to gain his full attention. Ask him why he did something and explain why he should not do it again. Remember to be gentle with the child but firm. Make sure that you look the child in the eye and know that he or she understands what your are talking about.
3. You can also ask the child to imagine if he were in the same situation and ask how he would feel if the same thing happened to him. Use familiar faces like a sibling or playmate, or a favorite cartoon characters like Dora’s cousin Diego as a model or springboards when trying to talk to the child to get your message across. Example: “How would you feel if Diego did that to you?”

Of course, as in all things, prevention is key. Who wants to be the parent of the child that everybody calls annoying? Here are some pointers to consider:

1. Do not spoil your child. To each his own when it comes to parenting style, but whatever rules you set in your household must be followed with no exceptions. When you tell your child that you will take away his ball the next time he plays with it inside the house, by all means do so if he does it again. This way, your child knows that there are consequences to his actions and that he cannot get what he wants all the time.
2. Give your child lots of love, care and attention. If your child gets enough of these at home, then he won’t have to try to get it elsewhere by manifesting annoying behavior.
3. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. If you feel that your child’s behavior is already becoming a continuing concern, seek help from a developmental pediatrician. The earlier you get help, the better for your child.

Always remember that in every child is an adult in the making. The way you deal with annoying behavior contributes to the way a child will be in the future.