{"id":377,"date":"2018-09-17T19:35:11","date_gmt":"2018-09-17T19:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/?p=377"},"modified":"2020-01-08T23:21:01","modified_gmt":"2020-01-08T23:21:01","slug":"end-power-struggles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/end-power-struggles/","title":{"rendered":"Put An End to Power Struggles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are a lot of parenting tips<\/strong> out there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet is swamped with experts and there are rows and rows of books at your public library all claiming they have the best parenting tips to help you raise a kind and respectful human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/a>\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n
\"boy<\/figure>\n\n\n

The best parenting tip I was ever given was: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give Kids Choices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults who figure this out have a much easier time interacting with kids of all ages. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every child wants to feel like they have some level of control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever had a child tell you “NO!”? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is clearly an example of a child attempting to exert their control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Story: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was volunteering one morning at my kids’ school; stuffing take-home folders for my son’s 5th grade class <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The noise associated with the hustle and bustle before the second and final morning bell was in full force. The hallways were filled with chatter and excitement and soon it would be the teacher’s job to reign the students in to begin their day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Above all the noise of voices, toilets flushing and backpacks being rustled, I heard a Kindergartner boldly shout to another Kindergartner, “YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I stopped in my tracks and fell into my own thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Momentarily, I’m grinning because this phrase has launched me into some deep philosophical thinking about kids and their behavior (which I love).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My A-HA Moment: The phrase “YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!” is universal.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kids in my crew said it in Minnesota and here I am 12,000+ miles away in Colorado and another child is saying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where do they learn it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My guess is from other kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hand-me-down if you will.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"parenting<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kids will tell anyone who will listen that they want power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indirectly of course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often times in the most unfavorable ways…screaming, kicking, throwing tantrums, going ‘boneless’ when you try to pick them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The feeling of not being in control over a child’s behavior can make adults (myself included) very uncomfortable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our ego kicks in and says, “Hey…self! You better get a hold of this situation. What will others think of you when they see this child out of control?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we cast ourselves into the day and life of a young child, it becomes evident quite quickly that a child is given little to no control throughout their day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine for a moment how many times a day a child is told what to do:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n