Dealing With Willful Children

There are all types of personalities in children, and nothem run, play and shout with glee at will, they'll be
child has the same temperament as the next. Somemore compliant when it will be time to listen and
mothers have children that are calm, placid andbehave.
easygoing, while others have little ones who displaceGive two choices, but no more
more air and create more turbulence than a hurricaneSince being controlled, ordered around and told what to
blasting through the home. Dealing with willful childrendo is something that strong-minded children can't stand
isn't always easy. Finding tricks to help cope with(and are often subjected to), allowing them choice can
headstrong kids can be a challenge, but here areease the arguments. They can choose which snack
some tips to try out for calmer weather:they want, which clothing they prefer, which toy they
Learn to say no - and mean itlike, and they'll be happy to be permitted the option of
This may be the most difficult learning curve, buthaving the decision. Never offer more than two
teaching yourself to say no to your kids is important tochoices, though to avoid option paralysis, or too many
peace of mind. Headstrong children can wear parentschoices to decide. It's this or that, and that's all.
down easily, and sometimes it may feel easier to justTake the money and run
give up and give in than hold your ground. But stayingFor some reason, the most common place for kids to
firm on your decision is a must to help providemisbehave, demand items or melt down into tantrums
boundaries for willful kids that they will respect. Beis stores. Many parents shopping with a willful child are
smart, though, and follow our next hint - picking yourused to going about their business with a screaming,
battles.crying child. After all, the shopping needs to get done.
Save energy for bigger battlesA better idea is to drop everything at the first sign of
Since managing a child that has plenty of strength ofbad behavior and leave the store. Children quickly learn
character can be tiring, save your energy for thethat stores are places where good behavior is a must
important things and let smaller issues go. It isn't a bigor they'll never set foot in one again. Don't worry about
deal if your child doesn't want to wear the clothesleaving half-filled baskets behind, either; clerks will put
you've chosen; let him or her select the daily clothing,the items away. If you feel bad about the situation,
even if it doesn't match. It is a big deal, however, if yourapologize to store clerks on the way out and let them
child decides that he or she wants to use sharpknow where you left the basket. You won't have to
scissors or wants to run into the street instead ofexplain why, with a child loudly protesting a trip to the
holding your hand at intersections. In those cases, holdstore cut short.
your ground: no means no.In the end, sometimes it's all about doing what works
Find big places with open spaces.for you and your family. There is no perfect solution,
Most of the time, headstrong kids have more thanas all hints, suggestions and advice are designed for
enough energy to spare. They can run you into thegeneral help and never for specific individuals or
ground as you spend your days trying to control andsituations. Do the best you can, take a deep breath
outsmart them. In fact, most kids with strongwhen you need to and smile even when you feel like
temperaments are continually chafing at the bondsshouting. If anything, tell yourself (repeatedly) that your
parents restrict them with - they hear "no" a lot. Findchild will grow up and out of the behavior - and will
places, like big parks, where your children can run freehave some excellent leadership qualities for
and expend some of that pent-up frustration. By lettingkindergarten, too!