Khaberni - Psychologist Irina Lukhmatova noted that a child's impudence often does not reflect poor parenting, but is instead an indicator of their discomfort or a disorder in how they communicate with adults.
According to her, stress or changes associated with developmental stages, such as adolescence, are among the primary factors that lead a child to act impudently, which may also be a reflection of copying adult behavior.
She said, "A child's impudence may relate to developmental crises, such as the period between the ages of three and seven, or adolescence. During these periods, the child becomes more affected by external factors, such as problems with peers or parents, or academic struggles. Additionally, their body and brain are still developing, so they often cannot manage their emotions calmly and independently, which might lead them to act rudely towards adults, although they may wish to curb this behavior but do not know how to do so yet."
She added that mimicking adult behavior is another common reason for impudence in children.
She explained: "A child learns how to communicate from their family and those closest to them. If they are used to seeing their parents or family members speak loudly or exchange words harshly, it is likely they will mimic this style in their dealings with others. Furthermore, a child does not yet have the full ability to control their emotions, thus expressing them through stubbornness, harshness, or crying. This stage should not be seen as evidence of poor upbringing, rather, it is a natural part of the developmental process. Often, the difficulty in controlling behavior hides an internal feeling of insecurity, as the child feels that old boundaries no longer suit them, but they have not yet learned how to adapt to the new reality."
The psychologist advised against responding to a child's impudence by yelling or threatening, or resorting to restriction and punishment. She emphasized the importance of not ignoring their feelings of exhaustion or discomfort, as this could worsen their behavior. She stressed the necessity to deal with them in a way that provides a sense of security and stability, rather than fear or confusion.
She added: "It is better to set aside time for honest discussion, and to engage in joint activities that allow both sides to listen to each other, as these moments strengthen the emotional bond and provide the child with a sense of security. It is important not to focus only on correcting behavior, but to also understand its causes."
