Can you imagine being told what to do all day long? I'm sure we've all felt frustrated at times by someone else's rules or expectations.💥 Wake up. Get dressed. Sit down. Eat up. Get your shoes on. Get in the car. Get out of the car. Power struggles happen when kids feel powerless. 🎉⁣ ⁣ As kids grow and explore their independence, they will inevitably test the limits of what they can and can't do. And while power struggles can be frustrating, it's important to remember that they are a healthy part of development.⁣ ⁣ Here are some healthy ways to ⁣defuse power struggles: ⁣ CONNECT👀⁣ ✔️ Make eye contact, read a book, talk, whatever gets you back on the same team. ⁣ ⁣ EMPOWER⚡️⁣ ✔️You can help to avoid power struggles by empowering your toddler with choices. By giving them some control over their day, you will help them to feel more powerful and less likely to engage in power struggles.⁣ ⁣ STEP-ASIDE🤸‍♂️⁣ ✔️Power struggles take two. So the obvious way to dial down a power struggle is to back out of it. They happen when you and your child aren’t on the same team. ⁣ ⁣ CHOICES OVER ORDERS👄⁣ ✔️Give this-or-that choices often throughout the day⁣ ⁣ GIVE MORE POWER👍⁣ ✔️When stuck in a power struggle, ask yourself, “How can I give my child more power in this situation?” Let’s say your toddler is refusing to put his shoes on. Make him the king of shoes, and ask him to make sure everyone gets their shoes on after breakfast.” ⁣ ⁣ Are you frustrated by power struggles and need some help establishing gentle but firm boundaries? Get our FREE audio lesson and learn how to handle unwanted behaviours WITHOUT losing your cool. LINK IN BIO. ⁣ ⁣ #toddlertips⁣ #toddlertantrums #toddlerstruggles #toddlertips⁣ ⁣ #toddlerlife #toddlersofinstagram ⁣#toddleractivities #toddlers ⁣ #toddlermom #toddler #positiveparenting #consciousparenting ⁣ #toddlermommy #gentleparenting⁣ #toddleryears