18/10/2025
See behavior as communication, not defiance.
When your child yells, hits, or refuses to listen, it’s easy to feel frustrated or even disrespected. That’s a normal reaction.
But behind every behavior, there’s a message your child doesn’t yet know how to express.
Example:
Your child throws their snack after you say no to more screen time.
It looks like defiance, but what if it’s actually disappointment or frustration they can’t put into words yet?
Here’s how you can respond differently:
Validate – “You’re upset that I said no. I get it, it’s hard when we want something and can’t have it.”
Acknowledge – “You’re showing me you’re frustrated.”
Redirect – “Next time, you can say ‘I’m mad’ instead of throwing.”
Hold the boundary – “I’m still saying no to more screen time, but we can read or draw together instead.”
This combination of empathy and consistency teaches emotional regulation not through punishment, but through connection.
When you start to see behavior as a message instead of a challenge, everything begins to shift.
Save this for the next time your child acts out. It might just change how you both feel in the moment.
