Have you had some of *those* kinds of moments lately?
Those moments when your son or daughter is being so defiant, so uncooperative, and so stubborn that you may feel like screaming and running off in the other direction to prevent yourself from hitting or spanking your child, or saying something awful that you’d gasp at if you heard another parent say to their child?
Fortunately, there are people like James Lehman out there who are experts at helping parents deal with these challenging situations…In fact, in Lehman’s article he says it’s easier than you think to have a victory when you’re in a power struggle with your child. It starts with being able to recognize when you’re entering into a power struggle with your child. Here’s how to tell:
“Any time you’re asking your child to do something and he’s refusing to comply—when you find him “pushing back” against the request you’ve given or the rules you’ve set down—you’re in a struggle. If the push for power is appropriate, you should be able to sit down with your child and talk about it in a fairly reasonable way. If it escalates into an argument or fight, you are in a defiant power struggle—and make no mistake about it, parents need effective ways to dial that back immediately.”
Lehman goes on to share 3 practical tips you can use when faced with a defiant power struggle, including 4 specific questions that you should use at the end of the conversation with your child. His 4 special questions are designed to help you and your child feel empowered.
You’ll feel empowered because you know how to handle the difficult situation with your child, and your child will feel more empowered because he’ll get to make some important choices for himself and learn that it’s safe to talk things through with you.
Avoiding Power Struggles With Defiant Children. Declaring Victory Is Easier Than You Think [Empowering Parents]
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