Anyone who has a toddler knows that power struggles are a common challenge. Whether it’s bedtime, tooth-brushing, transitions from park play to nursery school, negotiating these obstacles requires forethought, excellent timing and some specific skills (or a bit of luck).
Power struggles are often a result of belief systems colliding with developmental hurdles.
Developmental hurdles leading to power struggles come to a head in the toddler/preschool years when the child is trying to find a balance between needing a caregiver and trying new things independently.
Belief systems that promote power struggles are generally based on fear- “If my child doesn’t learn to obey me now, she will never learn,” or “if my child doesn’t stop grabbing he will never have friends in preschool.” Some parenting styles based on these fears actually exacerbate power struggles. Some parenting styles wind up working in the short run, but aren’t necessarily useful for increasing communication and cooperation with your future teen.
Join us for workshop on Preventing Power Struggles this Sunday, November 13th from noon to 2:30pm. This workshop is based on the work of Becky Bailey
- Some things we will cover include:
- Appropriate Use of Power
- Punishment vs. Responsibility
- Parenting styles that promote power struggles
- Tools to reduce power struggles
- Five steps to prevent and get out of a power struggle
- Healing after a power struggle
Please see the front desk at BABS to register or learn more about our sliding scale.
