You’re at the supermarket, park, or in a waiting room. Suddenly, your child starts screaming, crying, hitting, or collapsing on the floor. These scenes are more frequent than we think. When it comes to oppositional disorder in children, crises aren’t limited to home. At Clinique de l’Enfant, we know how much these public moments can embarrass, worry, or exhaust a parent. But there are concrete strategies to regain calm, even in the middle of a crisis.
Understanding what oppositional disorder in children is
Oppositional disorder in children is characterized by regular behavior of defiance, anger, and refusal to obey. These reactions aren’t simple tantrums: they’re part of a broader set called behavioral disorders in children, which also includes difficulties managing emotions and frustrations.
What do public crises mean?
An emotional crisis in public can be triggered by fatigue, an environmental change, or sudden frustration. When a child can’t verbalize what they feel, they may react violently. These behaviors are often the first visible symptoms of oppositional disorder. The child isn’t trying to manipulate: they’re losing control.
Reacting without escalating: staying a parent, even under pressure
When a crisis erupts in public, it’s tempting to give in, shout, or flee. However, the best response starts with calm. Here are some keys:
- Get down to the child’s level and speak to them softly.
- Avoid public threats or humiliation.
- Offer a clear solution, but hold your position.
This won’t always immediately stop the crisis, but it shows your child that you’re confident, even in the storm.
Differentiating isolated crisis and oppositional disorder
All children can have crises. But when they become frequent, intense, and difficult to contain, we may be facing oppositional disorder. These behaviors, far from being harmless, have a real impact on daily life: family tensions, social isolation, parental stress, school conflicts. These situations are often accompanied by other behavioral disorders in children: systematic refusal, provocations, uncontrollable anger.
When the environment doesn’t understand
It’s not uncommon for parents of oppositional children to feel judged or misunderstood by their surroundings. They’re told their child is “badly raised” or that they’re too lenient. These hurtful remarks can create a feeling of loneliness. If you feel alone or misunderstood facing these behaviors, our training can offer you concrete tools and appropriate support.
Symptoms not to ignore
Here are some signs to observe, related to oppositional disorder symptoms:
- Persistent opposition to authority figures (parents, educators, teachers).
- Disproportionate anger fits for apparently minor reasons.
- Tendency to blame others, to deny responsibilities.
These signs can appear very young, and amplify without appropriate intervention.
What to do in the moment?
When the crisis occurs in public:
- Gently move away from the crowd if possible.
- Use a calm and repetitive voice to refocus the child’s attention.
- Don’t try to explain or reason during the crisis: wait for it to pass.
Later, talk with your child about what they felt. This return to calm is a learning opportunity.
Clinique de l’Enfant support: solutions for you
At Clinique de l’Enfant, we offer adapted tools for parents confronted with behavioral disorders in children. Our interventions allow better understanding of oppositional disorder symptoms and adopting effective strategies in all contexts, even the most public.
We believe that with caring, clear, and consistent guidance, every child can progress. And every parent can regain confidence.
Contact us now to learn more about our personalized support around oppositional disorder in children.
