Does your kid push your buttons all the time? Power struggles are not unusual in a parent-child relationship. You basically come from two completely different generations, what do you expect? Parenting is difficult enough. What more if you added in your daily struggles as an entrepreneur.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Stop spending all your energy trying to control and change your kid because the only person in life that you can truly control is yourself.  In today’s episode, learn how you can balance parenting and your business from Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and Calm Parenting University. Kirk is also the host of the Calm Parenting Podcast.

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

Episode Highlights:

How to Deal with a Difficult Child

You can actually control your child's response not by controlling them, but by how you control yourself. The quickest way to change your child's behavior is to first control your own. Instead of yelling, start asking questions and listen. This requires a big mindset shift. When you use humility instead of manipulation, your child will begin to listen to you.

How to Control Your Emotions

First, realize that it just doesn't work. You can get compliance from a child in that moment. But you're actually not building that relationship. You're not changing the heart. Be honest with yourself to recognize that you're just being a baby because you didn’t get your way. When you yell at your child and they're upset because they didn't get their way, guess where they’re learning that from? You, obviously.

Second, body posture is important. Sit down instead of standing up, and you’ll notice how that simple dynamic could change your tone. You don't see two people arguing while sitting and reclining in a chair.

Third, do the opposite of what you normally do. Identify your triggers and notice how your tone starts to change and how your child reacts. Once you see this pattern, do the opposite of what you usually do. Focus on leading them rather than pushing them. For instance, instead of barking in their room, come in and sit on their bedside for 15 seconds, and mention something they're interested in. By taking interest rather than barking out your anxiety, you’re giving them what they actually need, which is your time. You’re paying attention to them, and so, you’ve turned that anxiety into love.

Resources Mentioned:

Celebrate Calm