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: Your job is to not get stirred up by it – and not give in to it, either. Instead, try to help your child balance the energy ofhis endless wants with self-control and integrity. The Cycle of Manipulation, Control and Defiance
Parents often get frustrated by their kids’ manipulative attempts to get their way. It’s not easy to remain calm and level-headed when you feel that your child is trying to push you around or take advantage of you. You might feel accosted and lose your temper. Or maybe when you feel disrespected, you withdraw. Or perhaps you try to avoid conflict and keep the peace, so you give in to your child’s demands. Sometimes you might even tighten your grip to show that you’re in control. Unfortunately, this usually just invites a power struggle with your child, because she starts pulling back on the tug of war rope as hard as she can. If you then tighten your grip more forcefully and pull back in response, the endless cycle of manipulation, control, and defiance can go on and on.