Annoying Behavior and the Reason Behind It, Part 1

Let's face it. Kids can do some things that really annoy us.

Last night I was listening to Life Matters and Mariah had Nancy Thomas on as a guest. Nancy told about a scenario of a foster child who had a habit of "poop smearing", and I don't think the child was a toddler. What could be more annoying than poop smeared on your walls? So, Nancy said she called the therapist and the therapist told her the next time she does it to not do anything, but call her immediately.

So, the next time the child decorated her bathroom with feces, she immediately called the therapist. The therapist came over to the house and put her arm around the little girl and said, "If that poop could talk, what would it say?"

Without hesitation the child answered, "I wonder if that man is still hurting my little brother and sister." Obviously, this was the root issue with her smearing feces all over the bathroom. To solve the problem, they found out what prison the man who hurt her was in and gave the child a photo of her younger siblings who were safe and sound.

Maybe your child doesn't do anything as drastic as poop smearing, but their behavior is still annoying. And in the heat of the moment the reason behind the behavior is probably the last thing on your mind. But try to think about it the next time your child does something that drives you crazy.

Do you ever have to keep reminding your child to do something over and over? Find out what is behind their behavior in Part 2.