problem child
Parent's constant headache
A problem child is a young person whose behavior causes persistent difficulty for parents, teachers, or others responsible for them.
The phrase extends to anything troublesome within a group: a struggling division may be a company's problem child, or a buggy feature the problem child of a software release.
The transportation budget has been the problem child of the spending bill.
Openly resisting control
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- unrulyDifficult to control
- disruptiveTending to interrupt order
- noncompliantFailing to conform
rebellious · insubordinate · willful · stubborn · headstrong · obstinate · intractable · undisciplined
Lasting psychological wound
- neglectFailure to provide care
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- emotionalShowing strong feelings
- psychologicalOf the mind
vulnerable · anxiety · depression · alienation · isolation · attachment · abandonment · instability
Legal or financial obligation
- weak linkLeast reliable component
- headacheCranial pain
- nuisanceCause of aggravation
- thornPointed plant projection
albatross · hassle · bugbear · stumbling block · underperformer · failure · flop · dud
Curative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- special needsAtypical developmental or learning conditions
accommodation · parenting · psychologist · evaluation · IEP · resources · guidance · advocacy
State of being answerable
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- strainExcessive stretching force
- difficultyState of being hard
- challengeTest of ability
hardship · frustration · exhaustion · overwhelm · drain · patience · sacrifice · guilt
defiant
Openly resisting control
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- unrulyDifficult to control
- disruptiveTending to interrupt order
noncompliant · rebellious · insubordinate · willful · stubborn · headstrong · obstinate · intractable · undisciplined · wayward
trauma
Lasting psychological wound
psychological · vulnerable · anxiety · depression · alienation · isolation · attachment · abandonment · instability · dysfunction
liability
Legal or financial obligation
thorn · albatross · hassle · bugbear · stumbling block · underperformer · failure · flop · dud · lemon
therapy
Curative mental treatment
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
special needs · accommodation · parenting · psychologist · evaluation · IEP · resources · guidance · advocacy · medication
responsibility
State of being answerable
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- strainExcessive stretching force
- difficultyState of being hard
challenge · hardship · frustration · exhaustion · overwhelm · drain · patience · sacrifice · guilt · worry
- troublemakersrascals, delinquents, imps, brats, lawbreakers
- Little Terrorsterrible twos, toddler tantrums, holy terrors
- annoyancesannoyance, annoyances, irritations, irritation, nuisance
problem childgood kid
angel · teacher's pet · goody two-shoes · golden child · good boy
problem childstar pupil
Exceptional learner, often praised
pride and joy · poster child · favorite child · wonder child · prodigy
problem, problems, troublemaker, problematic, problem-solving, problematical, problematically, problematizing