Title: Manipulative Child Behavior - 6 Tips For Parents | Empowering Parents
Headings: Manipulative Child Behavior? My Kids Are “Too Smart for Their Own Good”
Manipulative Child Behavior? My Kids Are “Too Smart for Their Own Good”
By Debbie Pincus, MS LMHC
“My kids are driving me crazy! They are so manipulative I can’t stand it!”
The Cycle of Manipulation, Control and Defiance
1. Recognize Manipulative Behaviors
2. Know Your Triggers
3. Define Yourself and Your Parenting Principles
4. Approach the Bench
5. Believe in Your Child
6. Soothe Yourself
About Debbie Pincus, MS LMHC
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Content: These tactics work when they trigger a reaction in us. Pay attention to your triggers. For example, your child might try to emotionally blackmail you by acting sad until he gets what he wants. This will be a trigger for you if you believe your job is to keep your child happy. Start by asking yourself if your job is to make your child happy or to help him prepare to cope with life. If it’s the latter, then you can answer with, “I’m sorry you’re sad, but you’re still grounded this weekend.” Other common behaviors include lying, dividing and conquering, shutting down, screaming “I Hate You” or “You Don’t Care About Me” or “That’s not Fair!” Don’t take these statements to heart. Respond with, “ I know you’re angry with me but you do need to put your bike away now.” Or “I know you don’t see this as fair, but you need to go to bed when I tell you to.”