Parents often feel helpless and in despair about their children’s behaviour and unsure on the best approach to tackle this. It is not uncommon for parents to feel responsible for their child’s behaviour. We often hear the term I love my child but don’t like them at the moment when parents are in this situation and it is the behaviour they dislike not their child.

Some parents are ashamed to admit that they can’t control their children’s aggression and are reluctant to talk about it, especially if the aggression is directed at the parents. If you are facing a similar issue in your home, it may feel like you constantly have to walk on egg shells, not knowing what could trigger another outburst. You may be feeling isolated and unable to share this with anyone as you may fear being judged for your child’s behaviour.

It is important to seek support and advice as soon as you can so help can be put in place for your child and the rest of the family. Our family support workers can offer you advice and support if you are struggling with this issue or something similar.

It is not always obvious what the driving force is behind your child’s aggressive behaviour for a parent. Your child may be feeling frustrated about something that is happening in their life, they may be getting bullied or having troubles at school, they may be seeking attention or it could be they are experiencing hormonal mood swings. Whatever the cause of their behaviour it may be quite clear to you they are struggling to manage their anger and emotions. This can cause a parent to feel at a loss on what to do for the best. If you are feeling this, please do not lose confidence in your parenting, as it is natural to feel this way under the circumstances.

Watch our video on dealing with difficult behaviour from your child or teen