There's no way around it—kids are tough. If you're struggling to manage the ups and downs of child behavior, you're not alone. Dr. Errol Douglas at Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD, can help with child behavior challenges. Here, we'll take a look at some of the supports you can create at home to help your little one when things get tough.

Be Positive

Staying positive as much as possible can help your child see themselves in a positive light, and may reduce behavioral challenges. Positive reinforcement (such as praising good behavior or offering a reward when they're "caught being good") can encourage your child to continue doing the right thing. 

Teach Social and Behavioral Skills

Taking a deep breath before responding to a difficult conversation may come naturally to you, but this isn't usually the case for children. In a non-difficult moment, talk with your child and practice strategies that can be used when they're going through a hard time. 

Know When It's Time to Ask for Help

Behavioral challenges are a normal part of childhood, but sometimes, it's important to ask for help. If your child's behavioral issues are causing problems at school, disrupting friendships, or you're concerned for your child's safety, it's important to reach out to discuss additional supports that can be placed to help your child thrive.

Talk Through Stress Management

There's a silver lining to stress as a parent—you get the chance to model how to work through difficulties. Saying things to your child like, "I feel angry, so I'm going to take a few minutes to cool off," or "I feel hurt, so I'd like to talk to you about my feelings," can help.

Call Gold Pediatrics 

At Gold Pediatrics in Rockville, MD, our child behavior health team is here to help your child thrive. Reach out to us today at (301) 517-9710 to learn more about how Dr. Errol Douglas can provide you with the care your child needs to feel their best.