Managing Conflict with your Child

Managing Conflict with your Child

 

  • Pay attention to your feelings during conflict.
  • Stop and take a break if you feel that your feelings are escalating and may lose control.
  • When you are operating on your emotions:
    • You are less effective.
    • You risk saying or doing things that may be harmful and cause more damage to an already strained relationship.
  • Avoid power struggles by providing choices when possible and allowing your child to be a part of creating expectations and consequences.
  • Refuse to argue.  State your truth and stop.  Resist the urge to repeat.
  • Avoid name-calling and labeling such as “you are lazy!”  Reverse this statement by saying “You are not lazy, so I am surprise that you have made the choice to… today”.
  • Encourage your child to express their feelings including hurt, sadness, fear, anger.
  • Spend regular one on one time with your child on something they enjoy.
  • Tell your child something positive and encouraging about them every day.
  • Tell your child every day you love them.
  • Seek help and support – view resources
  • Pray for God’s wisdom in your ways and grace and favor with your child.

 

Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  ~ Psalm 34:14 (KJ21)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  ~ Romans 12:18 (ESV)