Parenting the Strong-Willed Child and Keeping the Upper Hand
If you haven't experienced it for yourself, you've seen its effects. You've seen the haggard, weary-looking faces of countless mothers trudging through the grocery store aisles holding the hands of little ones wearing that triumphant "I've just got my way, again" smirk.
You've seen grown women brought to tears in the check out line or at the doctor's office by a small, wriggling, screaming body that just won't seem to quit. And while you may feel lucky that you escaped all of that torture, don't congratulate yourself just yet. Your time for dealing with a strong-willed child may be quickly approaching and you will need all of your parenting skills to cope with it.
When talking about strong-willed children, there are two age brackets that pop into mind very quickly: the terrible twos and the always-torturous teenage years. While you may think that these two ages require completely different parenting approaches, they do not. Of course, the language that you use will change, but the basics for parenting strong-willed children stay the same no matter the age.
The key to parenting strong-willed children is consistency. Sounds easy, huh? Well it's not. Children have a way of wearing you down until you just want whatever it is they're doing to stop. Sometimes parents tend to cave or give in to their children just to bring the conflict to an end. This is the worst possible thing that you can do when dealing with a strong-willed child because it just reinforces that their negative behavior evokes a positive outcome.
To show children that their antics are not going to have any effect on your decisions, you must consistently show them that you mean what you say. Don't bend the rules or let punishments slide no matter how tough it gets. While it may be rough in the beginning, the more that your child sees that you will not be swayed the more he or she will listen to you without putting up a fight.
Do not fight with your child. When nerves are strained and tempers flare, it can be very easy to fall into a pattern of fighting with your child. Avoid this at all costs. Always try to remain calm and unruffled, at least in the presence of your child. In order to do this, you will need patience. Don't be afraid to take a break when things get too tough. Walking away from the situation for a few minutes of peace and quiet is often all that is needed to strengthen your resolve.
In addition to following these parenting tips yourself, be sure to bring the co-parent and grandparents in on the plan. If everyone in the strong-willed child's life uses the same approach, the child will have to buckle down and follow the rules.
On the upside of things, strong-willed children generally become highly motivated, successful adults. They usually have high-self esteem, high energy, and extreme intelligence; they are just lacking the skills to contain their own greatness and let it shine when and where appropriate. Keeping this in mind, try not to brow beat your children into submission. Instead, lovingly show them how to control emotions and how to properly assert themselves.
Related Tags: child, advice, kids, parenting, tip, parenting tips, strong-willed
Bonnie Foshee, Parenting Expert, Discover 11 Powerful Parenting Tips for a Happy and Successful Child. The Parenting Toolbox is a great resource for parents looking for answers to parenting issues. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Important Things to Know About an Assisted Living Residence in Texas
n assisted living residence is a facility designed for senior citizens or persons with disabilities - Understanding How the Probate Process Works
The probate process is required within the U.S. to settle estates of deceased persons. The time requ - Fun Ideas for the Family During the Christmas Holiday
The Yuletide season is one of the most awaited holidays of the year because it is the time for joy a - How To Find The Right Composite Decking Deck Builders
Another rising home improvement project homeowners are starting to do a lot more of is the composite - Every Home Should Have A Radiant Barrier
The most easy and successful home improvement project you can do to your House, would be to install - The Different Types Of Rain Gutters
When purchasing a house or planning to do improvements to a home, there is always one project that s - How To Get The Best Replacement Windows For Your Home
Installing replacement windows can be the single most important home improvement project you can do - Holiday Accommodation Gold Coast: Pointers For Selecting The Best
With a multitude of holiday accommodations in Gold Coast, choosing the one for yourself can be quite - Want Holiday Accommodation In Gold Coast Queensland? Get Online To Find The Best Deal In A Quick, Co
There are several ways to find holiday accommodation in Gold Coast. You may refer to travel guides t - Celebrate The Ten-days Festival Of Navratri.
Dasara known as Dussehra, Navaratri, Vijaya Dashami is a festival of triumph of GOOD over Evil. The
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Adoptees Need Support When Voicing Feelings about Birth Parents
"I feel like a mistake.""I'm not like them.""Where's my family?""Why can't I find a suitable career? - Progressive Cooking: All About 'cuisine'
The French are known for their interest in art and all that is fine. It therefore comes as no surpri - Moroccan Decor - Oh My! Make Your Home Shine With Moroccan Rugs and Tapestries.
It is said in Morocco that he who enters Fez with a rug will leave with a moneybag. This saying o - Online Criminal Background Checks-Importance & Ease
Have you ever thought your new neighbor looks like one of the pictures on the post office bulletin b - Installing A Burglar Alarm
Want to protect your home? Ready to install a burglar alarm? The popularity of the home burglar ala - Lowe's Backyard Playground Sets
Lowe's is an excellent first place to look for anyone who is looking for the best swing sets on the - How Could Short Term Health Insurance Help Me?
Short-term health insurance plans allow people to have health insurance for a limited amount of time - Watch Out For Those Stinky Skunks!
There are various species of skunks found throughout the United States including the striped, spotte - Asthma In Kids: An Increasing Epidemic
Many believe that the majority of asthma cases are confined to adults, but this is definitely an inc - Stairlifts For Riders Of Above Average Weight
A stairlift is an affordable device that is used to give people with limited mobility access to the