If we take a root-cause approach to our children’s behavior we find that their behavior is the result of their feelings and their feelings are the result of some inner need.
The correct approach is to therefore address the inner need. With the inner need in perspective, they will have different feelings. The different feelings will result in different behavior.
Any strategies that don’t address the inner need will only have short-term results and in the longer term, the need will result in the original behavior.
Children, and adults, will always take the path that is the best for them. The more we teach our children to be introspective to understand their inner needs, the more aware they will be to make good decisions. This capability is foundational for them to have a happy and fulfilling life.