Force vs Manipulation vs Persuasion in Parenting Me: Son, how would you feel if...

Force vs Manipulation vs Persuasion in Parenting

Me: Son, how would you feel if I forced you to do something that you didn’t want to do or threatened to hurt you if you didn’t do it?

Son (10): I would be very angry and want to kill you.

Me: What if I tricked you into doing something that you didn’t want to do?

Son: Then I wouldn’t trust you anymore, and I would want to get away from you.

Me: What if I persuaded you to do something that you previously didn’t want to do, but I showed you good reasons for doing it and how it would benefit you?

Son: Then I would be very happy that you helped me make a better decision. I would love you even more, especially as I saw it working out better for me.

Me: So do you see why persuasion is so powerful and why you want to use it with the people you love?

Son: Yes, it makes for better relationships and more trust and cooperation. I think it’s the only way to have cooperation.

Force and manipulation get you temporary compliance from your children while damaging your long-term relationship with them. Only persuasion parenting gets you cooperation and lasting relationships with your children.

Your children need your persuasive leadership. They need you to convince them to walk the right path and reject what is bad.

Your persuasiveness must surpass that of all their teachers, peers, celebrities, influencers, social media, politicians, memes, and propaganda they may encounter. They need you to be the moral and ethical standard for their lives.

Become the father or mother your children need.