These types of children have very great trouble being told what to do. However, there are certain battles you must choose to fight. You cannot avoid certain conflicts. Now I’ll tell you my feeling on what those things are, but again, this is something you have got to choose for yourself on what is important to you.

In my opinion, the things you should make a stand on are things regarding developmental issues regarding health, safety, courtesy and respect to other people. Those are the things I think you cannot let go. You cannot let your child do things that are dangerous, abusive to others, or disrespectful to you.

Those are the areas I think are important, at least for my family and my children. You may have your own criteria, but it is important to have criteria. The other thing I want to point out is avoid conflict whenever possible with your ODD kids, but when you need to make a stand, make a stand that you are going to win.

You have to get the battle you are willing to follow through to the end and make sure that your child gives in to you. You cannot let your child win any battle or conflict with you at any time at all.

If you do those things, avoid conflicts whenever possible and make your stand when necessary, you will have much greater success with your child, even if your unruly child has ODD.