How to Win Co-operation from 'Make Me Kids'
A Parenting Toolbox Masterclass about the Subtle Art of Cultivating Co-operation (Part 1 of 3 sessions)
Say goodbye to command-and-control approaches when dealing with strong-willed, power-seeking, or challenging kids. These methods are difficult to implement and rarely yield long-term results.
Hello to the language of cooperation for smarter, stress-free parenting.
As I outlined in my recent newsletter, one in three children dislikes being told what to do.
Dubbed ‘Make Me Kids’* by the Parenting Toolbox team, these kids value control so that they will resist you all the way to bed, school, homework, or whatever else. It's infuriating, but it’s not impossible to get them to cooperate with you.
You only need the right tools and the know-how to use them effectively.
(As an aside: *They are called ‘Make Me Kids’ because everything in their demeanour screams “You can’t make me do anything I don’t want to do” when confronted by coercive language.)
In this three-part Masterclass, I’ll explore six powerful, easy-to-use tools that will help you handle challenging encounters with ‘Make Me Kids’ successfully while also maintaining a positive relationship. I’ll also do a deep dive into the psychology of ‘Make Me Kids’ so you know what makes them tick, and help you use these tools to good effect.
In this session, I’ll introduce the first three tools.
Each is accompanied by an in-depth explanation, practical examples, and an opportunity for you to apply your learning in real-life situations of your choosing, ensuring the knowledge sticks.
You’ll also get the opportunity to discuss any learnings or challenges with me.
The Language of Cooperation
Each method employs the language of cooperation instead of coercion, which may require a shift in thinking for parents accustomed to command-and-control discipline.
The golden rule for all these techniques is that they must be delivered in a calm, neutral "cop mode" to be effective. No sarcasm. No bulging jaw. No eyeballing. Just calm, zen-like nonchalance.
And yes, they've been road-tested in some pretty tough situations.