{"id":30992,"date":"2026-04-09T07:00:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T07:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=30992"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:28:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:28:59","slug":"handle-a-childs-oppositional-phase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/baby-1-year\/handle-a-childs-oppositional-phase\/","title":{"rendered":"How to handle a child\u2019s oppositional phase?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During their development, your child may go through periods when they oppose rules or adult requests more strongly. Refusals, tantrums, or repeated \u201cno\u2019s\u201d can then shape daily life and put you to the test. Why do oppositional outbursts occur? How should you respond, and when should you be concerned? Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is an oppositional phase in children?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An oppositional phase refers to <strong>a time when your child systematically resists instructions<\/strong>. During childhood, especially between 18 months and 3 years, your child goes through stages where they seek to differentiate themselves from adults, test boundaries, and assert their personality. <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This need for autonomy is completely natural, and <strong>it is a constructive phase that helps them grow<\/strong>. It\u2019s the stage of independence. Your child wants <strong>\u201cto do everything by themselves\u201d<\/strong>, sometimes refuses adult help, and often says \u201cno.\u201d They are not opposing out of pure defiance, but because they are building their identity.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These outbursts may show up as:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">refusal to obey or cooperate,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sudden and intense tantrums,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">repeated negotiations or provocations,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a tendency to say \u201cno\u201d systematically,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">impulsivity and difficulty handling frustration.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These behaviors are common, especially when your child has not yet fully mastered language or feels overwhelmed by their emotions. Their mood may seem unstable, <strong>with reactions that may appear disproportionate to you<\/strong>.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30978\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/little-rebelious-girl-has-conflict-with-family-fa-2026-03-24-03-24-28-utc.webp\" alt=\"How to handle a child\u2019s oppositional phase? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/little-rebelious-girl-has-conflict-with-family-fa-2026-03-24-03-24-28-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/little-rebelious-girl-has-conflict-with-family-fa-2026-03-24-03-24-28-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/little-rebelious-girl-has-conflict-with-family-fa-2026-03-24-03-24-28-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oppositional phase in children: how should you respond?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oppositional outbursts are part of a child\u2019s development and can be unsettling. In these intense moments, <strong>certain parenting approaches can help calm the situation<\/strong> and support your child in managing their emotions, while other reactions may actually make things worse.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parenting approaches to prioritize during an oppositional outburst<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adopting a calm and supportive attitude is essential to defuse outbursts and guide your child. Here are some practical recommendations:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Stay calm<\/strong>: even if aggression or shouting escalates, your calmness is an anchor for your child. Speak softly whenever possible. Remember: power struggles are often triggered by an adult losing patience.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Name and validate the emotion<\/strong>: help your child put words to what they are feeling (\u201cI see that you\u2019re angry, this is hard for you\u201d). This helps them feel understood and supported.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Provide a clear and reassuring framework<\/strong>: rules should remain consistent and known to your child. A kind but firm structure reassures them and limits agitation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Offer limited choices<\/strong>: giving your child a sense of control helps reduce confrontation and respects their need for autonomy. For example, let them choose between two outfits.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Support without judging<\/strong>: remember that your child does not yet have the maturity to regulate their emotions on their own.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Maintain a caring presence<\/strong>: stay close, available, and comforting. Your voice and attitude are essential reference points for your child.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Get down to their level<\/strong>: during an oppositional outburst, remember to position yourself at your child\u2019s level.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common mistakes to avoid during an oppositional outburst<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, certain reactions, although instinctive, may amplify the outburst or reinforce aggressive behaviors. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Yelling or threatening<\/strong>: raising your voice or making repeated threats only increases tension and agitation. It can worsen behavioral issues and harm your relationship.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Shaming or comparing<\/strong>: hurtful remarks (\u201cyou\u2019re mean,\u201d \u201clook at your brother\u201d) damage self-esteem and increase anxiety or aggression.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Ignoring or minimizing the emotion<\/strong>: saying \u201cit\u2019s nothing\u201d or \u201cit\u2019s not a big deal\u201d denies your child\u2019s feelings, which may intensify their anger.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lack of attention or availability<\/strong>: if your child is seeking attention, they may increase outbursts to get your attention.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30983\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/asian-boy-playing-with-a-stroller-at-home-2026-03-20-04-35-05-utc.webp\" alt=\"How to handle a child\u2019s oppositional phase? - May App Sant\u00e9\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/asian-boy-playing-with-a-stroller-at-home-2026-03-20-04-35-05-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/asian-boy-playing-with-a-stroller-at-home-2026-03-20-04-35-05-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/asian-boy-playing-with-a-stroller-at-home-2026-03-20-04-35-05-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Child oppositional phase: when should you worry and seek help?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certain signs should raise concern and prompt you to seek advice, <strong>especially if the outbursts become difficult to manage daily or are accompanied by other issues<\/strong>. <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While oppositional behavior is part of normal child development, it\u2019s important to identify when it goes beyond the usual framework. Here are the main signs that should encourage you to seek professional advice:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Very frequent, long, or intense outbursts<\/strong> that occur daily or several times a week, with no real calm periods.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Marked aggression<\/strong>, physical or verbal, toward family members or peers. These behaviors may put your child or others at risk.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Associated behavioral issues<\/strong>: destruction of objects, repeated lying, stealing, or other risky behaviors should alert you.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Difficulty calming your child<\/strong> despite appropriate parenting strategies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Highly unstable mood<\/strong>, with sudden shifts from joy to anger or sadness.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Signs of anxiety, isolation, persistent sadness, or emotional difficulties<\/strong> that last over time.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Impact on family, school, or social life<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Suspicion of a syndrome or underlying disorder<\/strong>: oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), ADHD, anxiety disorders, etc.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between normal oppositional behavior\u2014linked to development and self-assertion\u2014and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), which falls under psychiatry and requires specific attention.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Child psychiatry professionals can provide an accurate diagnosis and suggest appropriate solutions to help your child. Don\u2019t hesitate to seek help to support your child and preserve family balance.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, <strong>oppositional outbursts are an integral part of many children\u2019s development.<\/strong> Although they can be challenging on a daily basis, they reflect a need for autonomy, self-assertion, and a still-developing ability to manage emotions. By adopting a calm, supportive, and structured approach, you help your child gradually learn to express their needs and better regulate their emotions.<\/span> ** Photo credits: nd3000 | sarawut20003 <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US\/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During their development, your child may go through periods when they oppose rules or adult requests more strongly. Refusals, tantrums, or repeated \u201cno\u2019s\u201d can then shape daily life and put you to the test. Why do oppositional outbursts occur? How should you respond, and when should you be concerned? Let\u2019s take a closer look. What [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":10245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[199],"tags":[150,163],"class_list":["post-30992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-baby-1-year","tag-baby-daily-life","tag-baby-development-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30992"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30992\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30996,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30992\/revisions\/30996"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}