4 Steps to Managing Aggressive Behavior in Children

Parenting a physically aggressive child is a sensitive topic. 

Unless you've experienced it, you can't imagine what it's like. 

We have a physically aggressive child.

And since we have a child like that, we felt it extremely important to develop the 4 steps to managing aggressive behavior in children to help everyone stay sane.

In our home, our aggressive child was adopted. 

Her genetic makeup is completely different from my husband and I. 

She has Reactive Attachment Disorder, PTSD, autism, and a mood disorder that all work against one another and cause significant issues. 

But, she's also just one of those children that's quick to anger and/or explosive about everything and anything.

We all know there are behaviors that are acceptable and those that aren't in today's society. 

Parenting a physically aggressive child isn't about how you'd like your child to behave anymore. 

It's about SAFETY. 

This includes the safety of the child with the aggressive tendencies, other children (especially those in the home), parents, and other adults.

One would like to think that safety is easily attainable in the home and/or at school. But when you have a physically aggressive child, it's everything BUT easy. 

As a parent, you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. 

Your stress level is through the roof. 

Patience is something you seem to lose more and more of each day. All of this because you're constantly managing behaviors.

There came a point a few months ago, where I felt I couldn't take it any longer. 

After an incredibly difficult day I cried for hours. I felt absolutely horrible about the parent I needed to be for my child. 

 Could she ever learn to love and treat another with kindness and respect?

I needed a plan, one that would help me regain confidence in myself as a parent, and one that would be beneficial for both parent and child. 

It may seem simple, but in the midst of absolute chaos caused by a physically aggressive child, simple is always best. These steps are easy to remember and carry out in the moment.

4 Steps to Managing Aggressive Behaviors of Children

1.  Use your words

Teaching and modeling correct communication skills not only benefits the child, but helps you keep your emotions under control. 

When words are spoken calmly with kindness, there is a better chance that the explosive child may choose to respond verbally and in an appropriate manner, because she doesn't feel threatened.

In a situation where the aggressive child is starting to kick you, the caregiver can say, "I feel nervous when you start kicking me.  Can you please stop?" Once the caregiver has expressed their emotions, pause and allow time for the child to respond appropriately.

2.  Give a warning with a choice

If the child does not respond to directions, give a warning with a choice. 

An example may look like this: "You can either stop kicking me and enjoy playing a game with your family or take a break in your room and kick your punching bag if you need to." 

By giving a positive choice and a less preferred choice, you're providing the child with a chance to make a good decision and encourage self-regulation. 

A choice also eliminates the need for the child to come up with what to do next.

When emotions are heightened your child may not be thinking clearly and therefore can't come up with what to do next on their own. The warning helps the child know what to expect if they continue to act out.

 
IMPORTANT: Be sure to give your child ample time to process and act upon the warning with a choice.

3.  Follow through with the consequence

Once it becomes clear that child is not calming down, the caregiver must move forward with the consequence immediately. 

This will ensure the safety of others and show the child that you meant what you said. 

The consequence must be consistent with the warning that was given. 

Your child may need you to lead the way, when it comes to moving forward with the consequence.  

Most often if a child needs the consequence she is not okay and can't do things on her own. 

If your goal is to get your daughter to her room to calm down, you may need to walk to your child's room first and model taking a break before your child does it on her own. 

When leading the way do not physically touch your child or threaten further consequences if she doesn't listen.  (Trust me when I say, we've learned this one the hard way.) 

Note to Caregiver: Do not give a consequence you're not willing to follow through with. Consistency helps to build trust and you don't want to threaten that.

 

4.  Safety first

At this point, the child will either choose to comply with the consequence or refuse. 

Behaviors will likely accelerate to an unsafe level quite quickly if the child refuses. 

This is when safety must come first. If you progress to step four, it is important to have a safety plan in place ahead of time. 

The safety plan needs to be one agreed upon by doctors, specialists, caregiver and the child. 

Safety plans will look different, depending on the age, size, and behaviors of the child. 

They may change over time. 

A safety plan is to be used as the last resort after steps one through three have been used with no success.

How the 4 Steps of Managing Aggressive Behavior in Children Benefits Caregivers

The four steps to managing behaviors of aggressive children gives power to the caregiver. 

It's a tool that helps keep a caregiver's emotions intact, removing the frustration and anger that one may feel as situations arise without a plan. 

The caregiver feels more confident and assured, knowing she is giving her best effort, following the plan. 

When a plan like this is in place, documentation about incidents becomes easy. 

IMPORTANT: With a physically aggressive child, document everything!

How the 4 Steps to Managing Aggressive Behaviors Benefits the Aggressive Child

The 4 steps to managing aggressive behavior also empower the child. 

A physically aggressive child knows what to expect, whether she decides to comply with what's being asked or not. 

This shows respect for the child and provides consistent routines. 

Positive moments happen too, since the child has ample opportunities to change her actions before losing control of her emotions and hurting others. 

Praise and mini celebrations can occur after every time a child decides to stop being aggressive with verbal prompts. 

When a child successfully completes a consequence (if things go that far) without the need for caregivers to move to step four, she can rejoin the family. 

Once again praise and mini celebrations can go a long way in empowering a child.

You Can Do This!

As a parent of an aggressive child, I know how hard it is to deal with behaviors day in and day out. 

The stress is unreal, especially when you're worrying about your response to the behaviors as well. 

No parent is perfect. 

We make mistakes. 

Our emotions get the best of us sometimes. 

Since implementing these four steps, the worry is gone. 

I know I'm doing my absolute best at parenting my child. 

Though I may be discouraged at times, these steps are a great way to assess how I'm doing. 

Once I confirm I'm using them consistently, I know I'm okay and so can you.

  

If you'd like to use our 4 Steps to Managing Aggressive Behaviors in Children, we've created a wonderful FREE printable for you to download.  

Print it out and put it where you'll need it most until you have the steps memorized.

Click HERE for your FREE 4 Steps to Managing Aggressive Behaviors in Children Printable

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