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)