Some children are aggressive, perhaps due to some underlying cause.
Here are some suggestions how to help such children: oTry to find the reason for aggression.
A child is not naturally belligerent.
It is an indication of some instability that needs to be corrected.
It could be a feeling of neglect, isolation or desperation.
The aggressiveness is a spontaneous reaction to get even and redress the situation.
The hurt child obtains a perverse satisfaction in hurting someone either emotionally or physically.
oDisciplining a child without addressing the root cause will only exacerbate the situation.
oObserve the child and see if you can identify a pattern when these hostile moments occur.
It could be a situation when the mother is out, or after the parents' have a domestic dispute.
Often it is the case when the mother is nursing a newborn sibling and the older one experiences a feeling of rejection and resentment.
Understanding what triggers resentment is half the battle towards overcoming it.
oBe firm but cool when detecting the first sign of antagonistic behavior.
Never lose your temper which will only make the child more obstinate.
Try to reassure the child and reason out the situation.
Talk the child out of the aggressive mood.
Avoid a tantrum by distracting the child.
oMore often than parents realize, such displays of belligerence is symptomatic of involuntary neglect on the part of one or both parents.
At times this may be perceived, as the child is in fact receiving adequate attention that compares with its siblings if there are any.
Whatever the cause, it has to be first identified and addressed.
There is no set formula to correction, and each situation has to be examined on its own merits.
Invariably a little love and patience is rewarded, but in cases where the aggression continues, it is advisable to seek the advice of an expert in child guidance and behavior.