Family conflicts are normal, and many experts say what matters is how you repair them. However, these rifts can be extra tricky to deal with once things get out of hand.Â
This was a headache a mom had to deal with involving her young daughter, whom she believed got involved with a bad crowd. The child not only lashed out with spite and anger, but also became physical when things didnât go her way.Â
Seemingly left with no other solution, the parents decided to make it a less festive Christmas for their daughter as punishment.Â
Family conflicts become more impossible to deal with when things get out of control
Mom struggling to handle 7-year-old child at work, showing tense interaction during phone call in office setting.
A child getting involved with a bad crowd may be a sign of a lack of guidance
The mom mentioned that her daughter had fallen in with a bad crowd, which may have led to her problematic behavior. According to marriage and family therapist Luis Maimoni, it could also be a parenting issue.Â
âKids donât curate their social lives â adults do. Their time, supervision, access, and modeling are largely controlled by caregivers,â he told Bored Panda. âThe issue is usually lack of guidance, structure, or supervision, not a child making independent moral choices.âÂ
Parenting and life coach Melissa Schulz pointed to possible conditions like ADHD and autism that make them view the world differently and/or develop communication challenges. As she explained, this may result in angry or aggressive responses that stem from poor emotional regulation or unmet emotional needs.
âIf a parent notices an increase in angry, spiteful, and aggressive behaviors, that means that their current approach is not meeting their unique childâs needs,â Schulz said.Â
Logical consequences are necessary when dealing with a difficult childÂ
The woman and her husband decided not to give their child presents for Christmas, likely out of frustration. Maimoni says such punishments are more about parents venting their own exasperation than imposing logical consequences, which he strongly urges in such scenarios.Â
âYou cannot punish a child into emotional health,â he stated.Â
Hudson Valley-based psychotherapist Ariel Zaksenberg shared a similar sentiment, stating that consequences must be more about educating children to help them make better decisions. He added that support must come with unconditional positive regard and be directed toward choices more aligned with their well-being.Â
Parenting, in itself, is complicated and sometimes chaotic. In those times of uncertainty, professional help may be the better next step, as Schulz advises.Â
âThe sooner the better, because the longer the challenging behavior goes on, the more of a habit and a self-identity it becomes and the harder it is to get back on track (although itâs always possible!).â
In this storyâs case, giving the daughter a miserable Christmas experience may only lead to more tension and resentment. Since the woman seems at a loss as to what to do, it may help if they sought counseling from a licensed therapist.Â
Comments from readers began pouring in
Comment from user QueenofallIsee questioning a mom’s decision to punish her 7-year-old by withholding Christmas gifts.
Text post from a mom struggling with her 7-year-oldâs behavior, discussing discipline and parenting challenges online.
Comment discussing a mom punishing 7-year-old with no Christmas gifts, with advice from online community.
Alt text: Online discussion about mom handling 7-year-old with no Christmas gifts as punishment and differing opinions.
Comment on social platform expressing sympathy for mom struggling with 7-year-old amid Christmas gift punishment debate online.
Comment from user1471538275 criticizing mom’s decision to ban Christmas gifts as punishment for 7-year-old child misbehavior.
Comment discussing a momâs harsh punishment for a 7-year-old and suggesting therapy and counseling advice.
User comment reading “Perhaps the OP means 17?!” in a plain text online forum discussion.
Comment from user Applesinapie questioning if the child is 7 or the seventh child in a discussion about parenting and punishment.
Screenshot of an online comment discussing a 7-year-old and the punishment of no Christmas gifts, with online disagreement visible.
Online comment disputing momâs punishment of no Christmas gifts for 7-year-old childâs behavior.
Comment highlighting concerns about a mom punishing her 7-year-old by withholding Christmas gifts, seen in an online discussion.
Commenter discussing momâs punishment of no Christmas gifts for 7-year-old and concerns about parenting decisions online.
Online comment discussing a momâs decision of no Christmas gifts as punishment for 7-year-old, with disagreement from others.
Screenshot of online comment discussing a mom withholding Christmas gifts as punishment for her 7-year-old child.
Comment discussing a momâs punishment of no Christmas gifts for her 7-year-old and the online disagreement it sparked.
Comment from Eviebeans questioning a childâs behavior and school year amid momâs no Christmas gifts punishment debate.
Comment suggesting support and understanding over punishment for managing a 7YO, related to Christmas gifts and parenting challenges.
Screenshot of an online comment discussing a mom struggling to handle her 7-year-old and punishing with no Christmas gifts.
Commenter explains that no Christmas gifts is a bad punishment for a 7-year-old with suspected neurodivergence.
Comment on online forum discussing extreme behavior of 7-year-old and punishment without Christmas gifts debated.
The mom later provided an update after she had calmed down
Text update from mom about scaling back Christmas gifts as a punishment for 7-year-old, sparking online debate.
Text discussing a mom struggling to handle her 7-year-old child and considering no Christmas gifts as punishment.
Screenshot of a mom expressing willingness to try anything to help her 7-year-old child online.
Text message from mom explaining Christmas is not cancelled despite being upset with her 7-year-old child.
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