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Challenging behaviour

4 min read

Every parent and caregiver will face challenging behaviour from their child at some point. Tantrums, defiance, aggression and pushing boundaries are a normal part of growing up, but they can still be exhausting, upsetting and difficult to know how to handle, especially when they happen often or continue for a long time.

Behaviour is one of the main ways children communicate, particularly when they don’t yet have the words to explain how they feel. Tiredness, hunger, frustration, boredom, big changes or difficult early experiences can all play a part, and understanding what might be behind the behaviour is often the first step towards managing it.

In this support hub, we look at some of the common reasons for challenging behaviour in children, how early experiences and trauma can affect behaviour, and why looking after your own wellbeing matters too. You’ll also find trusted organisations offering advice, helplines and practical support for parents and caregivers.

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    At times a Child’s Challenging behaviour can become an extremely difficult and tiring part of the parenting process.

    What happens when Parents and Caregivers find themselves navigating the complexity of a Child’s Challenging Behaviour and where do parents turn to when in this situation for help and support ? other members of the family, friends, parent groups?

    Our support for Parents and Caregivers is here to provide additional information that may just help you navigate your Child’s Challenging behavioural phase alongside the help and support from family and friends and just help create another area of support and information for you.

    Often challenging behaviours can stem simply from a child being tired, hungry, overexcited, frustrated or at times just bored. For example, when children are frustrated and bored, they can act or create behaviours to display and signal this, their capacity to verbalise or manage the situation themselves is limited therefore behaviour becomes their largest communication tool.

    Behaviours that are generally defined as challenging can also be part of a child’s natural development. Pushing Boundaries for example is often a Child’s way of exploring the world themselves and learning about life through their own experiences and not just what they are being told.

    This natural instinct to explore is rooted in their own survival instinct, however Children are still very aware they need their Parent / Caregiver present, hence you will always see a child who is perhaps Pushing the Boundaries turning around to check if their Parent or Caregiver is still there, this can be interpreted as they are being clever or cheeky – What is happening though is whilst they are pushing the boundaries as part of their natural development they are still wanting to know the parent and caregiver is there and that they are safe.

    In some cases, Children may have experienced difficult situations during their very early years. Attachment Issues can be a factor in many cases where loss and trauma and neglect have played a part in their early years and as a result, they might behave and act in ways that are challenging and difficult for them to cope with. These behaviours can progress and affect the whole family, that’s why reaching out for support to look after your own Health & Wellbeing in the process is so important. In comparison a Child may go onto experience a Trauma in later years and this could again impact their over Mental Health and Behaviour.

    Our below information and resources are here for any Parent or Caregiver who is perhaps dealing with a Child’s Mental Health or Challenging Behaviour at this time, our resources are specifically focused to help support Parents and Caregivers.

    Support is here:

    YoungMinds

    Challenging Behaviour | Parents’ Guide To Support | YoungMinds

    If you’re experiencing challenging behaviour from your child or young person, we have tips for what you can do and where to get help

    Opening times: 9.30am-4pm, Monday-Friday
    Telephone: 0808 802 5544

    Trauma & Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds

    Contact

    Provides support, information, and advice for families with children with disabilities or other conditions including ADHD. Also runs family workshops and activities.

    Opening times: 9:30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday
    Telephone: 0808 808 3555
    helpline@contact.org.uk

    NHS

    Dealing with child behaviour problems – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

    Family Action

    Family Action: Supporting families at every age and stage of life

    Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm
    Telephone: 0808 802 6666
    Text message: 07537 404 282
    Email: familyline@family-action.org

    Action for Children

    Challenging behaviour – Support for Parents from Action For Children

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