Sept. 29, 2026

Which Behaviors Should You Fix and Which Should You ignore?

How do we know when to fix our kid's behavior and when to let it slide? We talk reducing power struggles, ignoring attention-seeking behavior, and successfully setting boundaries ahead of time.

Which kid behaviors need to be addressed in the moment—and which are better ignored? We discuss when to fix behavior and when to let it go, from whining and backtalk to tantrums and other attention-seeking behavior.

Topics include:

  • How to reduce power struggles while still establishing clear rules and boundaries
  • Why target behaviors should be specific and observable
  • How to set expectations before challenging behavior happens
  • Practical strategies for handling difficult behavior in public
  • Knowing when a child's behavior is really a signal of an unmet need

This episode includes advice from the Child Mind Institute's Complete Guide to Managing Behavior Problems.

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What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.

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