Helping Angry Children: Targeting Heart and Behavior

How can we minister to defiant, angry, or “explosive” children, particularly in the preteen years? In this audio talk, Mike Emlet addresses the parents of an angry child and advocates a wisdom approach in addressing anger in children. Emlet maintains that the heart of the parent is the first place to explore, and examines several patterns of parenting that help to exacerbate the problem in angry children. Emlet then considers the heart of the child and several proactive strategies for promoting relational health with children. He concludes with a consideration of the multifaceted ways God deals with obstinate, stubborn, and strong-willed people and gives options for dealing with defiance and anger in the moment.