Problems often emerge when parents don’t feel comfortable setting limits in the first place or when kids don’t learn to negotiate for changes in those limits, and act out instead. It’s a normal thing for kids to do as they develop-and in my opinion, it’s actually a good thing for them to do. Most kids have a whole monologue going on in their heads that says, “I can do it it’s no big deal why won’t she let me?”Īll emotionally healthy kids test limits. How can you set limits effectively and get your kids to listen? James Lehman explains how in this article.

And for some parents, it’s hard to limit their child’s behavior in the first place. No matter the method, it’s infuriating for parents when their kids push against the structure they set.

Then he accuses you of being petty when you enforce the limit with a consequence. Or perhaps it’s a war of inches-your adolescent tests you by coming in a few minutes later past curfew each time he goes out. How many times has this happened to you? You set a limit on behavior, and your kids ask, “Why?” or ignore your limits entirely.

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