Is your home a battle zone of power struggles, manipulation and fighting? Empowering Parents give you real advice from experts who've been in the trenches with kids and know how to stop power struggles before they start.
How do you know if you’re entering into a power struggle with your child? 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... Read more »
I need help with a power struggle with a 13 year old boy and his parents (us)… my son doesn’t want (refuses) to get his longish hair cut, we (parents) want it cut… I have canceled a recent haircut appointment so we can talk it over together, but that has resulted in nothing but my... Read more »
As every parent knows, fights over bedtime can be one of the biggest power struggles you’ll have with your child, whether they’re five or fifteen. The truth is, many kids just don’t want to go to bed at night. For most of them, I think it’s because they’re afraid they’re going to miss something. With... Read more »
Why do some kids try to become the so-called "alpha dogs" of their families? The answer lies in an old saying: nature abhors a vacuum. And in my experience, if there's a power vacuum in a family, somebody's going to try to fill it. And too often, it's a bossy or domineering child. "If your child... Read more »
As a parent, if you aren’t the boss in your family, the lines of authority can become blurred very quickly. When your children are unsure about who's really in charge, they often act out, engage in risky behavior, or become extremely bossy and patronizing as a result. And eventually, you start to resent them because... Read more »
If your child deliberately ignores you, pretends not to hear your requests, and refuses to greet you or others, read on to see how you can deal with their behavior without losing your cool. Kids purposely ignore you because it gives them a sense of power and control. It makes them feel big, and pretending not... Read more »
Do you ever feel as if your relationship with your child has become one long, drawn-out (and exhausting) power struggle? If you're in this situation, it probably seems like you simply progress from nagging your child over dirty laundry on the floor in the morning to arguing over bedtime at night. As they get older,... Read more »
When our children refuse to do what we ask them, it can feel like we’re caught in a tug-of-war, with both sides pulling on the end of the rope as hard as they can, and neither side making much headway. Parents often say things like “Don’t test me” when they think their child is resisting their... Read more »
