Why kids misbehave – DQ Factor Type – Monkey
This week we’ve been looking at Dr. Greg Cynaumon’s book “Discovering Your Child’s DQ Factor.” Specifically we’ve been looking at the four DQ Factors or personality types identified by Dr. Cynaumon; Bear, Monkey, Porcupine, and Lamb. Yesterday we looked at the characteristics and discipline strategy for Bears. Today’s species – the Monkey…
Monkey
Description: Not as strong-willed, controlling, or combative as his Bear cousin. Seems to misbehave in odd and obvious ways, knowing he will get caught and get into trouble. Misbehavior is often motivated by his need for attention from you and other authority figures.
Motivation: Monkeys crave attention. Their life ambitions to attain significance by being noticed. They live to capture your attention and will stop at nothing to get it. They will be cute and cuddly as long as cute and cuddly works. But once they sense cute and cuddly isn’t cutting it, they will shift gears to whatever it takes, including misbehavior. Once they get your attention, they feel significant, important, and therefore loved.
Discipline Strategy: Having a win-at-all costs mentality to confronting discipline will blow up in your face with most people, but especially Monkeys. Instead, try reflective listening, which slows conversation down and helps you really listen to your child.
What Works: Ignoring (Monkeys love attention, so not getting a reaction takes the fun out of misbehaving), time-outs (Monkeys are social, so they hate being away from people), and natural consequences, such as flunking a test when he failed to study (Monkeys will avoid repeating a behavior when it results in something unpleasant).
The above information was pulled from Dr. Greg Cynaumon’s book “Discover Your Child’s D.Q. Factor
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