Understanding why children misbehave enables parents to determine what consequences – if any – are warranted. Often, significant changes in a child’s life may create anxiety.

Parents divorcing, the child going to a new school, the family moving to a new neighborhood – all of these can add stress to children’s lives and cause them to “act out.”

Ask your child if there is something bothering her or him and then discuss those fears. Also, consider that there may be medical issues related to your child’s behavior. Many children suffer from undiagnosed attention-deficit, hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For more information on ADHD or other medical/behavioral issues, consult your child’s pediatrician or school personnel.