Patient's question:
My brother is thirteen years old. Since he was a child, he has been more mischievous than other kids, and now that he's grown up, he's only getting worse. When my mom tries to discipline him (for example, when he often demands money to buy snacks, like spending more than ten yuan a day on junk food), he will scream and even hit my mom. He's strong, and my mom isn't in good health, so she can't take him on. He thinks no one can control him, so he gets even worse. He often fights with my mom, and I really can't stand it anymore. I disciplined him, but he even took a stick and threatened to hit us, and he didn't hold back at all. What should I do in this situation?Doctor's answer:
At the age of 13, boys are in a phase of aggressive growth, and the best period for teaching them to correct their behavior has already passed. There is an old saying in China that goes, "Fondling leads to poor children, while discipline raises filial sons." This is especially true for young boys—parents should not spoil them too much, as this can hinder their transformation. However, he is already 13 years old. It is not possible to suddenly change his current state; instead, parents should gradually set boundaries. Explain the reasons clearly, establish rules, hold family meetings, allow him to grow, and give him full responsibility for the family. Without resorting to physical punishment or harsh words, parents should not indulge in his unreasonable suggestions. At the same time, parents can negotiate with the school's homeroom teacher to try and bring about positive changes in the child, encouraging him to grow into a caring, responsible, and useful individual.