The Relationship between Children’s Misbehavior and Parents

“Children are a gift from God and His reward” (Psalm 127:3). However, some parents today have not really enjoyed but struggled in child-rearing because of many behavioral problems encountered during childhood. The reasons of child misbehavior are various. Child misbehavior grows out of a mixture of their search to fulfill unmet needs, parents’ sinfulness, the negative impact of environment, and their own sinful tendencies. Empirical studies show about the relationship between children’s misbehavior and parents who are the primary influencing factors: parenting styles, the views of the nature of humankind, parental discipline strategies, parental depression, parenting satisfaction, and other family factors. They inform that parents directly and indirectly influence children’s misbehavior. They show parents’ cognitive, affective, and behavior aspects are involved in child misbehavior. This study suggested some ways of self-discipline in the three aspects for parents to prevent and solve child misbehavior. To change thought pattern, first, parents need to have the biblical view of the nature of children. Second, parents need to have the right knowledge about human basic needs which many psychologists have recommended. Third, parents should have positive thinking about child misbehavior. To change feeling patterns, parents need to often check their feelings towards it. Lastly, to change parents’ parenting practices, first, parents should consider all causes of child misbehavior. Second, to fully satisfy children’s basic needs, parents should provide for those needs. Third, to avoid hostile parenting practices, parents should willfully try to change their actions. Fourth, parents can change their parenting practices by giving special attention to positive behavior to encouragement and praise for positive behavior rather than criticism for negative behavior. Fifth, parents should find alternative methods for physical punishment. Sixth, parents should try to make a happy and healthy life for themselves.