Negative ("Bad") Behavior in Children - When Is It Ignoring It Better? When Is Ignoring It Not An Option?

Negative ("Bad") Behavior in Children - When Is It Ignoring It Better? When Is Ignoring It Not An Option? Someone online asked opinions about whether "bad" behavior in children should be ignored and recognized as "just part of a stage that will be outgrown" or whether children should be "punished" (not a word I'm a big fan of). The thing is, though, that the answer to that question isn't a simple one. This is a discussion about all the things I think people need to consider. And, the short answer to that question is, I think, that it depends on the child, the age, and the circumstances (although there's a difference between "addressing" the situation, possibly with consequences; and "punishing").