How To Use Reverse Psychology With Children?
In many cases, it is very difficult to get children to behave. And it is that parenting is not easy; parents sometimes need some techniques to get their little ones to behave well. Reverse psychology is one of the methods that can be used to deal with some inappropriate attitudes of children.
It is certainly an important tool that parents can use to influence their children’s decisions. Adults can use reverse psychology when they intentionally argue for a decision or behavior, while secretly wanting their child to support the opposite decision or behavior.
Reverse psychology often works well with challenging children, because many just want to do the opposite of what their parents tell them. However, these types of techniques should be used sparingly.
You also need to choose your words and situations carefully. Whatever reverse psychology technique you use, make sure you apply it correctly and make it credible.
Using reverse psychology with children
Parents can use reverse psychology to mitigate some children’s innate desire to thwart their desires. However, as previously mentioned, this should be done responsibly and in moderation.
In this sense, you should never use negative reverse psychology, which is one that can be detrimental to the self-esteem of children.
While it is an effective method of parenting, reverse psychology can also do more harm than good if used incorrectly or too often. At best, it won’t work at all; at worst, it could damage the infant’s self-esteem or provoke feelings of guilt.
By telling your child the opposite of what he wants to do, you can get him to do exactly what you want him to do. However, it is important to keep in mind that children are very impressionable; It is only recommended to use reverse psychology in special circumstances.
On the contrary, it is necessary to avoid using it in a way that could damage the child’s self-esteem. An incorrect use of reverse psychology can cause the little one to believe that he is not capable of achieving what you propose and sink even more.
You can also use reverse psychology by explaining the situation to your child so that he understands it. This technique works when the pros and cons of each action are spelled out in a simplified way. Once the child understands the situation, he can do the right thing. Do not forget to always use positive phrases.
Tips for Using Reverse Psychology with Children
Here are some tips to keep in mind when using reverse psychology with children:
- Challenge your child to excel instead of issuing orders.
- Stay calm and avoid reacting emotionally when they misbehave.
- Use a positive reward system.
- Give your child an option to feel independent.
- Use reverse psychology to influence positively. Otherwise, you will fall into a form of manipulation that, when noticing it, would cause the little one to turn against you.
- Lastly, don’t use reverse psychology as your first option.
Examples of how to use reverse psychology with children
If you don’t want to eat
If your child refuses to eat because he is watching television, you can tell him that it is time to go to bed, since dinner time is over. This fact can stimulate a positive action of the child, who wishes to have more television time in his schedule, and to finish the plate.
Does not want to bathe before sleeping
If it is bath time before bed and the child objects, you can tell him that it is time to go to bed. Keep in mind that most children want to do anything rather than go to bed early. For this reason, it is very possible that you have a chance that the little one will accept your request.
Finally, we remind you that reverse psychology works especially well with young children, as this age group seems to instinctively enjoy doing things that go against their parents’ wishes.
In any case, don’t forget to use reverse psychology with children only when necessary. If you haven’t experimented with it yet, it’s time to try this resource with your little ones!
