What to do With a Bossy Child

Every parent wants to have the perfect child.follow through with the punishment.  Make them have
However, no child is perfect. Parents have a lot ofa few minute time-out whenever they are caught
different things to deal with as they are raising theirbossing someone around.   Your child definitely will
children, some issues are big and some are small, andnot like being punished, but it will give them a chance to
some problems need to be dealt with before they getthink about their behavior and it will make them think
out of control! One of those issues is having a childtwice before they do it again.
who is very bossy. This child tells everyone what toExplain to other children and adults in your home and
do, even adults. So what can you do if you have acircle of friends that they do not need to do what the
bossy child?demanding child asks them to. If you bossy child can't
You need to first look for the source of the problem. get any results from their behavior, soon they may tire
It's likely that someone is showing your child thisof it. Of course they will become frustrated and could
behavior.  So who is the bad example? It could beeven through a tantrum or two in the meantime, but
you, another parent, a teacher, or another child.  Yourthe point will get across eventually.
child could be modeling behavior that they areDon't reward your child when they are being bossy. If
observing. Often the source is right in your own home.you are shopping with your kids and the bossy one
Perhaps it is an older sibling or even parents. We oftendemands that you buy them a certain thing, don't give
don't see negative behavior in ourselves, but if youin. Why would you reward bad behavior? Show your
step back and take a close look at how you treatchild who is really the boss and stay in control. Now
others you may see a little bossy behavior inthis doesn't mean your child doesn't deserve the
yourself.  Once you identify the person who your childoccasional treat or gift. Just don't give it to them when
is imitating, find a way to graciously talk to the personthey are being bossy.
about setting a better example. Perhaps they don'tAll children go through stages as they are growing up,
realize how closely they are watched by children.so it should give you some sense of comfort that this
Talk to your child about their bossy attitude. Let themstage won't last very long. That is, if you take the time
know it is unacceptable and that they will be punishedto correct the behavior now!
for the behavior. The key to making this work is to