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Stop the Power Struggles! 5 Game-Changing Strategies to Turn Difficult Behaviors into Teaching Moments (Without Giving In)

by Dr. Jazmine
Feb 24, 2025
Connect with TMP

Ever find yourself locked in another exhausting battle of wills with your child?

Maybe you're tired of the endless crying, the constant "no's", or feeling like every boundary turns into a meltdown.

If you're wondering whether you're being too soft or too firm, whether you're giving in too much or not being understanding enough - you're not alone.

Today, we're diving into a completely different approach to handling challenging behaviors that will help you maintain boundaries while keeping your relationship strong.

What You'll Learn:

  • Why your child's "difficult" behaviors might actually be a good sign
  • A powerful three-step framework for redirecting behavior (that actually works)
  • Real scripts and examples you can use today
  • How to handle sibling conflicts without taking sides
  • The truth about crying and "manipulation"

The Big Shift: Understanding What's Really Happening

Here's something that might change everything about how you see your child's challenging behaviors:

Every behavior is communication.

When your child is having a meltdown, pushing boundaries, or testing limits, they're not trying to drive you crazy (even though it might feel that way!).

They're trying to tell you something.

Let me share a real example that might sound familiar. A mom recently reached out about her almost-three-year-old who was crying about everything. The moment they'd give in, the crying would stop "like a faucet being turned off."

Sound familiar?

Her biggest worry was that her daughter was "using crying to get what she wants."

Here's the thing - she wasn't wrong about the crying getting results, but there's a completely different way to look at it.

When the crying stops after getting what they want, it's actually a good sign - it means their need got met!

A Better Way: The Connect-Redirect-Reconnect Framework

Instead of jumping straight to correction, try this three-part approach that will help you maintain boundaries while keeping your relationship strong:

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