Avoid power struggles by informing your child what YOU are going to do instead of requiring, buying or chewing out them about what THEY should and should not be doing.

Here’s how to invite a power struggle:

” Sam, get those blocks this immediate!”

Sam, with his blossoming requirement for autonomy, naturally bristles at being ordered around. He takes a defiant wait saying NO.

You decide to require compliance by using some type of intimidation. He calls your bluff, and next thing you understand you’ve locked horns like rutting rams … stuck without any elegant exit for either of you.

It’s what occurs when a moms and dad tries to control his kid’s body and/or choices.

Luckily, there is another method:

” Sam, it’s clean up time now. If there are any toys still left on the floor when this timer goes off in 5 minutes, I’ll be selecting them up myself and putting them away on a high rack in the garage for awhile.”

This declaration leaves Sam with absolutely nothing to argue with, and there’s no need for you to try intimidation techniques to force compliance.

You’re all right with whatever he picks. If you’re like me, you kinda hope he chooses to let you do it, since you wouldn’t mind seeing a couple of less toys around the house!

You manage your own body and options. He controls his.

Power battle avoided.