Help! My Child Argues With Everything I Say! What Do I Do?

Having a Very Argumentative Child is Frustrating!

Imagine this scenario: you’re trying to get dinner on the table, the baby is crying, and your child is arguing with you about everything from what to wear to what to eat for dinner. You’re feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, and you want everyone to listen and cooperate. Sound familiar?

If you have a child who constantly argues with you, you know firsthand the frustration that can come with this behavior. It can feel like no matter what you say, your child is determined to disagree and argue.

It’s enough to make you want to pull your hair out!

But it’s important to remember that this behavior is normal and common in children. They learn to assert their independence and test boundaries as they grow and develop.

Arguing is often just a way for them to express their opinions and feelings.

So, while it can be maddening in the moment, it’s important to try and keep your cool and healthily respond to the arguing.

Remember, this phase will pass, and with patience and persistence, you can work through it and improve your communication with your child.

Why Do They Argue?

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that children argue to assert their independence and test boundaries. As they grow and develop, they try to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world. Arguing is one way they can try to exert their control and autonomy.

In addition to testing boundaries, children may argue to express their opinions and feelings. They may feel like they are not being heard or that their ideas are not being taken seriously. Allowing children to express themselves and have a say in decision-making can help reduce the frequency of arguing.

Other factors contributing to a child constantly arguing include stress, fatigue, or underlying emotional issues. If a child feels overwhelmed or struggles with emotions, they may turn to arguing as a coping mechanism. Paying attention to the child’s overall well-being and seeking outside help, if necessary, can be beneficial in addressing the root cause of the arguing.

So, while it may be tempting to view your child’s constant arguing as a personal attack on your authority, it’s important to remember that there are often deeper underlying causes at play. Understanding and addressing these underlying issues can improve your communication and relationship with your child.

How to Respond to Your Child When All They Do is Argue

Before you lose your cool, let’s talk about some strategies to respond healthily to an arguing child.

First and foremost, it’s important to stay calm.

Easier said than done, right?

But getting angry or yelling will only escalate the situation and damage the parent-child relationship. Take a deep breath, count to ten (or twenty, or fifty – whatever it takes!), and try to keep your cool.

Another helpful technique is active listening. This means really paying attention to what your child is saying and trying to understand their perspective.

Repeat back to them what they have said, and ask open-ended questions to encourage further discussion. This can help the child feel heard and understood and may help diffuse the argument.

It’s also essential to set clear and age-appropriate boundaries and to enforce them consistently. This helps children understand what is expected of them and can reduce the frequency of arguing.

Finally, try to help your child understand and express their emotions healthily. Teaching emotional intelligence skills can go a long way in improving communication and reducing the frequency of arguing.

It’s not easy to deal with a child who argues constantly. Still, you can improve your communication and relationship with your child by staying calm, using active listening techniques, setting boundaries, and helping your child manage their emotions.

Problem-Solving Skills – They Go a Long way!

It can be frustrating and exhausting if your child constantly argues with you. But instead of just trying to shut down the arguing, why not teach your child some problem-solving skills? Not only will this help reduce the frequency of arguments, but it will also give your child valuable skills that will serve them well throughout their life.

One effective strategy is to encourage your child to devise solutions to problems. For example, if your child is arguing about what to wear to school, instead of just telling them what to wear, ask them to come up with their own outfit choices that meet your expectations (e.g., no inappropriate slogans or images, they must be weather-appropriate). This helps the child feel a sense of ownership and autonomy and can reduce the need to argue.

Another valuable skill to teach is conflict resolution. Help your child practice identifying the problem, coming up with potential solutions, and deciding on the best course of action. This can be a challenging skill for children to learn, but with practice, it can be a powerful tool in reducing the frequency of arguments.

Finally, model effective problem-solving and communication skills for your child. Children learn by example, so if you can demonstrate how to handle conflicts and communicate effectively, your child is more likely to adopt these skills themselves.

So, the next time your child starts arguing with you, try using these strategies to teach them valuable problem-solving skills. Not only will it reduce the frequency of arguments, but it will also give your child skills that will serve them well throughout their life.