Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

01-09-2025

Avoid Power Struggles With Your Child

By the time children are in the upper elementary school grades, they have reached the age where they can reason. This can have its pros and cons.

Your child can understand that you expect good behavior, so it's appropriate for you to explain why you set particular rules. However, your child may use those emerging reasoning skills to argue with you—if you allow it.

Try these tips to avoid power struggles with your child:

Find a way to say yes whenever possible. The word no sparks arguments. Replace "No, you cannot watch a video" with, "Yes, you may watch for a half-hour when you have finished your assignments."
Don't offer multiple explanations. If your child asks for a snack right before dinner, say "Dinner is almost ready and you will be able to eat then." Respond to any argument by repeating your reasoning.
Don't offer choices when there is only one acceptable action. Don't ask if your child is ready for dinner. Simply say, "Dinner is ready. Please come to the table."
Make it clear that you understand why your child may not want to do what you say. "I know it's frustrating to stop playing your game. But it's time for dinner."
Be consistent with consequences. Explain what will happen if your child misbehaves, and enforce the consequences every time. Lack of consistency teaches children that rules can be bent.

Brought to you by:

West Point Consolidated School District