Destructive behaviour among children is on the rise day by the day. It not only affects the children exhibiting the behaviour, but also the lives of family members and others around them. The effects of destructive behaviour may have damaging effects which last a life time.

Instances of destructive behaviour include occasions when children are thoughtless and self-centered, when they blast the music system at inappropriate moments, when they use offensive language, and when they exploit independence by engaging in bad habits.

Playing rough, teasing pets or friends, showing disobedience and disrespect to parents, etc. are all examples of destructive behaviour. Some of the children might take to drugs, smoking or other ruinous habits. These children persist with displays of anger, deception, aggression, and rebelliousness.

Therefore, it is extremely crucial to recognise destructive behaviours and implement some type of behaviour management programme.

• Children having destructive behaviour are thoughtless and self-centered.
• They are often found playing music systems at inappropriate moments.
• These children often use offensive language.
• They are known for exploiting their independence.
• Other examples of destructive behaviour include playing rough, teasing pets or friends, showing disobedience and disrespect to parents.
• Some of the children take to drugs, smoking or other bad habits.
• These children persist with displays of anger, deception, aggression, and rebelliousness.

Children who consistently exhibit destructive behaviour may be indicating low levels of self-control and self-esteem. These are two primary underlying causes of the misbehaviour. Destructive behaviour does not always cause immediate harm to the children, but the consequence may be experienced by others immediately.

Destructive behaviour is often used as a tool by children to display their feelings in unacceptable ways.

Excessive pampering of children by their parents often leads to indiscipline and destructive behaviour. If parents ignore undesirable behaviour in their children when they are young, disciplining them becomes all the more difficult when they grow up and harden.

For this reason, an environment which models and encourages acceptable behaviour through discipline is essential.
 

With good disciplinarian techniques, parents can bring in a lot of positive changes in the behaviour of their children. The purpose of discipline should be to turn children into responsible individuals.

Parents should provide children exhibiting destructive behaviour with an environment with structure. This structure should include daily routines that these children can follow easily. Modification should be made as changes in misbehaviour occur.

Because the underlying factors for the misbehaviour are lack of self-esteem, revenge, and power, the environment for managing destructive behaviour must be based on love and praise. Meaningful display of love can go a long way to help eliminate and heal the inadequacies.

While making rules, care should be taken so as to make only rules that are meaningful and purposeful. These rules need to be expressed and enforced with consistency.

Keep your cool, remain calm and maintain a positive outlook. Avoid getting upset and making threats to your children. Instead of reacting to the behaviour abruptly, take action once you have got the heat out of the situation and calmed the children.

Addressing misbehaviour purposefully is important rather than ignoring it. Talk to the children. Try to strengthen the relationship by stressing on the positive behaviour of the children.

Guide children into taking responsibility for their own actions. Show them the cause-and-effect relation in deserving punishments. For example, explain to them why they will not be allowed to go out alone (effect) if they break the trust of their parents once (cause).

Parents need to take professional guidance for those children who have developed habits of taking drugs or smoking cigarettes, etc.

In case, you have tried all the above and still have questions regarding your child who displays destructive behaviour, you can ask for a practical solution from Jiva. Jiva makes use of the know-how of its expert educationists and the wisdom from Ayurveda to provide you consultation for this kind of problem. Please feel free to contact Jiva at 0129-4088152 or write to us at asksteve@jiva.com. We will try our best to give a solution to your child’s problem with our expertise.