Raising Human Beings

Key idea 1

Parenting doesn’t need to be a battle for control.

Navigating parenthood can be overwhelming, especially today when we’re bombarded with countless opinions and advice on how to raise children. We’re expected to set clear boundaries without being overly strict, to nurture our kids without falling into the trap of becoming “helicopter parents.”

One of the toughest aspects of parenting is managing power dynamics. When children misbehave, it’s natural to try to assert control, believing we know what’s best. Unfortunately, this often leads to harsh measures: in the U.S., between 80 and 90 percent of toddlers experience physical punishment from their parents. These extreme tactics can carry over to schools, where corporal punishment is still permitted in 19 states.

The reality is that an authoritarian approach has its limits, and when you’re caught in a power struggle with your child, neither of you wins.

When children misbehave or face challenges, it’s easy to focus on them as the source of the problem. However, tantrums or poor grades are often just symptoms of a deeper issue. Rather than focusing solely on the behavior, it’s important to uncover the underlying cause. And the best person to help you understand this is your child.

Learning how to communicate effectively is key to gaining influence as a parent, without resorting to authoritarian methods. Instead of viewing your child as an opponent, you need to join forces with them, actively working together to address their concerns.

This approach may feel intimidating at first, and you might worry that you’re “going soft” or losing control. However, using forceful tactics only creates the illusion of control. Your child may already be defying your rules behind your back without you knowing. By fostering open, honest communication, you’ll build a relationship rooted in empathy and respect, rather than fear and domination.

Key idea 2

Children often struggle to meet the expectations placed on them.

From the moment they are born, kids face expectations not only from their parents but also from society. Infants are expected to sleep in a crib, engage with their parents, and start eating solids around five months. Toddlers are supposed to communicate verbally, be potty trained, and master basic physical skills. As they grow, children are expected to sit still, focus, and develop advanced social skills to navigate school life.

Our expectations are influenced by our cultural background, upbringing, and past experiences. If one child behaves in a certain way, we might expect the same from our other children. However, each child is distinct, with their own personality, needs, strengths, and challenges. While their environment shapes them, it doesn’t fully determine who they are or how they will behave.

Some children may struggle to fit into the social norms or academic expectations set by the world around them. This creates a mismatch between the child and their environment. The way this shows up can vary depending on the child’s age—babies might cry loudly, toddlers could have tantrums, and teenagers may withdraw or become sullen. These reactions are important indicators of distress, not signs of disobedience or challenging behavior. They suggest that something deeper is bothering the child.

Incompatibility isn’t necessarily a bad thing; in fact, it’s a catalyst for personal growth. You’ll never know what you’re capable of unless you encounter and navigate challenges. Difficult situations help build resilience and coping mechanisms. Therefore, a parent’s role isn’t to ensure everything goes perfectly. Sometimes, it’s about stepping back and allowing children the space to figure things out on their own.

There will certainly be moments when stepping in to help your children is necessary. They may lack the skills to solve a problem on their own, or the issue could be with the expectations placed on them by their environment. For instance, a teacher may be assigning an excessive amount of homework. In these situations, it’s important to work on adjusting those expectations. We’ll explore how to approach this in the next key idea.

Key idea 3

When parents jump to conclusions, they often end up with misguided solutions.

Take Sam’s situation, for example. Sam had been doing well in math, but his grades suddenly started slipping. His parents assumed the problem was a lack of motivation and believed he just wasn’t trying hard enough. They tried reasoning with him, and when that didn’t work, they offered a reward – a computer game he had been wanting. When the reward didn’t motivate him, they resorted to threats, telling him that if his grades didn’t improve, he wouldn’t be allowed to play any computer games at all.

At this point, Sam was feeling frustrated and angry. His relationship with his parents became tense, and he stopped sharing openly with them. This created a real issue because, despite all the interventions, Sam’s math grades were still poor, and his parents still hadn’t figured out the true cause.

The problem was, although Sam’s parents genuinely wanted the best for him, they never took the time to ask him what was really going on. Instead, they assumed he was simply unmotivated, and responded with threats, rewards, and other quick fixes. This approach, which many parents default to, is typically their first instinct. However, it often leads to solutions that don’t actually address the underlying issue.

In reality, a lack of motivation is rarely the true cause behind a child’s struggles in school. Children are naturally motivated to succeed because the world around them rewards achievement. No child enjoys being the last one chosen for a sports team, nor does any child want to fall behind academically. There are plenty of external motivators pushing children to do well, and parents don’t need to add extra pressure on top of that.

There could have been many reasons for Sam’s struggles in math. Perhaps he was being bullied at school and felt too embarrassed to ask questions, or maybe the teacher’s explanations weren’t clear enough. It’s also possible that his overwhelming homework load from other subjects made it hard for him to keep up. Each of these issues requires a unique solution, and none of them can be resolved through bribery, threats, or pleading. The key to finding a real solution lies in working together with Sam to understand the root cause.

Key idea 4

The foundation of collaborative problem-solving begins with mastering the art of listening.

How often do you truly give your full attention to what someone is saying? While we pick up various social skills throughout life, many of us are surprisingly poor at active listening—especially when it comes to hearing what our children are trying to express.

Parents today cringe at the outdated notion that “children should be seen and not heard.” Yet, much like in the past, we often fail to fully value their perspectives. Even young children, such as toddlers, experience powerful emotions like fear, discomfort, or anger. They have distinct preferences and ideas about what they need. By listening to them, we gain crucial insights into the challenges they are facing.

When you sit down with your children to talk about their concerns, they may initially be caught off guard or even feel defensive. If they’re used to being reprimanded, they might worry about getting into trouble. Reassure them that you’re simply interested in having a discussion, and approach the issue with a nonjudgmental tone. For example, if you’re addressing sibling conflicts, you might say, “I’ve noticed you and your sister haven’t been getting along lately. Can you tell me what’s going on?”

Give them time to respond, and instead of immediately offering your own thoughts, practice reflective listening. This involves repeating back what they’ve said to show you truly understand, and then asking thoughtful follow-up questions.

If your child struggles with getting ready for school on time, you might want to ask what specifically is causing the delay—whether it’s getting dressed or packing her bag. You could also inquire about what’s called situational variability: what makes some mornings go smoothly while others don’t? These questions demonstrate genuine curiosity and allow you to understand the issue better.

After gathering this information, summarize what your child has shared and ask if there’s anything else she wants to add. Once she’s finished, the first part of your collaboration is done. Then, you can share your own thoughts and concerns.

Key idea 5

Clarify your concerns and invite your child to collaborate on finding solutions.

What’s interesting about active listening is that it’s often contagious. Once you start truly listening to your children, they’ll be more inclined to consider your perspective in return. In fact, the most effective way to teach empathy is by modeling it yourself.

In the next phase of collaborative problem-solving, you have the chance to openly express your concerns to your child. For instance, what specifically about his arguments with his sister is troubling to you? This step is known as the “define-adult-concerns” stage. Often, we bypass this and jump straight to solutions, but taking the time to clearly communicate your concerns not only helps in finding a resolution but also provides your child with valuable insight into your perspective.

Parental concerns typically focus on how a problem affects the child or those around them. For example, you might say, “I’m concerned that the constant fighting with your sister is harming your relationship and causing tension in the family.” Or, if your child is having academic difficulties, you could express, “I’m worried that if your grades drop, it could impact your chances of getting into college.” After sharing your concerns, you’ll be ready for the final and most crucial step: working together to find solutions.

It can be useful to start by briefly summarizing the issue and the concerns from both sides. Then, you might say, “What do you think could be a solution? Do you have any ideas?” While it’s not your child’s responsibility to solve the problem on their own, giving them the first opportunity to contribute shows that you value their perspective.

Initially, your child might propose solutions that address their own concerns but not yours. This doesn’t mean they’re disregarding your point of view—it simply shows they still need more practice in finding solutions that work for everyone. You could respond by saying, “That works for your concern, but can we come up with something that also takes mine into account?” The key is finding solutions that are both realistic and satisfying for both parties, so that you both feel heard and understood.

Keep in mind, this approach may not be easy at first. It’s a new way of communicating that can feel unsettling and vulnerable, and you may encounter challenges along the way. But with time and practice, it will get easier.

Key idea 6

Adopting a proactive approach can help resolve conflicts before they even start.

Take the example of Denise, a single mother with three children. Denise was overwhelmed. Despite her best efforts, she struggled to get her kids out the door on time for school. Mornings became a chaotic rush, filled with commands, pleas, threats, and nagging just to get them dressed, fed, packed, and ready to go.

Denise’s challenge stemmed from attempting to solve problems in the midst of the chaos. With everyone feeling stressed, clear thinking was nearly impossible. If you’re looking to resolve ongoing issues, it’s important not to wait until you’re overwhelmed. Addressing problems when emotions are high often leads to reactive, less effective solutions.

Instead of waiting until tensions rise, take a moment when you’re feeling calm to list the recurring conflicts you face. In Denise’s case, her children had consistent issues like struggling to eat breakfast on their own, her daughter having trouble feeding the dog before leaving, and the difficulty of getting to the school bus on time. Additionally, her eldest son often found himself scrambling to finish homework in the morning after neglecting it the night before. Notice that Denise’s list doesn’t just outline the problem behaviors; it highlights the mismatch between her expectations and her children’s ability to meet them.

With her list in hand, Denise took the time to evaluate each expectation. She asked herself if the expectations were realistic, given her children’s ages and individual abilities, and which ones were the most crucial to address. This evaluation helped her prioritize the issues that needed attention first.

When you begin collaborative problem-solving, it’s easy to feel the urge to tackle everything at once, but this can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on just one or two issues to start. Set aside time to sit down with each child, well-rested and at your best, to discuss the problems and brainstorm solutions. This approach will foster more productive and constructive conversations.

Key idea 7

Don’t let your own anxiety sabotage the progress of your collaboration with your child.

Kristin and her teenage daughter, Taylor, found themselves in yet another heated argument. The issue at hand? Taylor refused to answer the phone when her mom called to check in on her whereabouts. This only heightened Kristin’s worry, prompting her to call even more often. They were stuck in a toxic cycle—each attempt at a conversation led to a fight, and it felt like they were no closer to finding a solution.

Kristin’s behavior was driven by deep anxiety. She became fearful because her daughter had stopped sharing what was happening in her life, which led her to imagine the worst possible scenarios. Feeling utterly powerless, Kristin resorted to every authoritarian method she could think of to regain control, but her daughter simply ignored her threats and punishments, pulling further away.

It’s natural for parents to feel anxious at times, but worries can sometimes escalate. If you find yourself obsessing over your child’s problems or losing sleep over minor issues, it’s likely that anxiety has taken over. Similarly, if you find yourself reacting impulsively, shouting as your first response, it’s important to step back and examine what’s driving those reactions.

Parents often feel anxious when they worry that their children’s behavior will reflect poorly on them or lead to judgment from others. However, it’s essential to release these concerns about external opinions. What truly matters is what’s best for your child, who has her own unique personality, abilities, and preferences. Your role is to support her in discovering and embracing her true self.

Fortunately, in Taylor and Kristin’s situation, Taylor had a better rapport with her father, which allowed him to step in as a mediator and help both sides work through the conflict in a constructive way. It’s important to remember that you can’t control every aspect of your child’s behavior. While you do have influence, others in their life do as well. Accepting this reality can help reduce unnecessary tension.

Engaging in collaborative problem-solving lightens the burden of parenting, easing anxiety. You no longer have to bear the weight of solving all of your children’s issues alone; the responsibility becomes shared.

Key idea 8

Working together to solve problems helps children develop into emotionally intelligent adults. 

In a world filled with conflict, it’s easy to see examples of leaders using force, ignoring their people’s needs, or enforcing their authority without dialogue.

Do these dynamics ring a bell? They mirror the authoritarian style of parenting, where rules are imposed without room for understanding or listening. Throughout history and in today’s world, we see both the best and worst in human behavior—selfishness and aggression, but also empathy and creativity. As parents, if we want to nurture kindness and compassion in our children, we must start by embodying those qualities ourselves.

We want our children to grow up kind and compassionate, with awareness of others’ feelings and the emotional insight to recognize their own. However, when parenting with authoritarian methods, we miss the chance to model those qualities. Instead, we teach that the person with the most power can impose their will, and that obeying authority is more important than developing personal values and beliefs.

Collaborative problem-solving, by contrast, demonstrates the very qualities we hope to instill in our children. When you genuinely listen to their thoughts and invite their input, you allow them to express their concerns clearly and calmly. This approach builds skills essential for effective communication and problem-solving in the real world.

By sharing your concerns, you provide your children with an opportunity to practice empathy and recognize the impact of their actions on others. When you invite them to work together on finding solutions, you offer valuable practice in cooperation and teamwork. This approach to problem-solving not only helps resolve everyday conflicts between parents and children but also equips children with the tools they need to grow into compassionate, responsible individuals.

Final Overview

Power struggles leave both parents and children feeling like they’ve lost, as ongoing conflict strains relationships and leads to nagging and punishments.

However, by shifting to a collaborative problem-solving approach, parents can change this pattern entirely. Rather than opponents, parents become allies to their children. Together, they can uncover the underlying issues that drive challenging behavior and equip their children with the skills needed to grow into emotionally intelligent adults.

Practical advice:

When unsure, give it some time.

It can be hard to tell if your child needs help with a problem or if they can handle it independently. You want them to build self-sufficiency but don’t want them to feel discouraged if the challenge is too tough. In these cases, taking a wait-and-see approach is wise. If, after a bit, they’re still struggling, you’ll know it’s time to step in and offer guidance.