PREMIUM What every parent should know about their child’s ‘disrespect’ Disrespectful behaviour is often a symptom rather than the root cause. Life & Style 17 min ago

For parents trying to rebuild their relationship with a child, Mercy recommends several approaches, including prioritising connection before correction, practising active listening, giving children age-appropriate autonomy and making an effort to repair the relationship after conflict.

Child and Adolescent Counselling Psychologist Mercy Mwasi says parents need to understand what may be behind such behaviours.

However, Mercy reminds parents that seeing one of these behaviours occasionally does not necessarily mean a child has become disrespectful.