Do you find yourself in power struggles with your children? Discover how trying to control your children can lead to the resistance and rebellion that characterizes authoritarian parenting.

Do you believe that it is your job as a parent to have control over your children? Do you find yourself trying to control your children in the ways your parents tried to control you, or in the ways you learned from siblings, friends or relatives? Do you hope that through yelling, threatening, shaming, blaming, judging, demanding, spanking, nagging, lecturing, explaining, arguing, and so on, you will get them to do what you want them to do? Is it working?Most of us do not like to be controlled, and children are no exception. While they may comply in certain areas to avoid punishment, they will likely resist in other areas.What Are the Negative Consequences to Your Child of Attempting to Control Him or Her?Your choice to control always has negative consequences for your children. It is important to connect your controlling behavior with the consequences that may result. While controlling might work in the short run, it can create many problems in the long run.What are the problems you are having?'

- My child and I get into power struggles.

- My child does what I want most of the time but becomes resistant in certain areas. My child resists:

Taking a bath or shower, Brushing teeth, Going to bed, Doing homework, Getting ready for school, Learning, Going to school, Reading, Keeping his or room clean, Doing chores, Telling the truth, Dressing appropriately for school, Using appropriate language, Looking nice, Being kind and considerate. Being on time, Talking with me. Having my values. Eating well. Caring about his or her health.

Instead, he or she: Smokes, Drinks alcohol, Smokes pot, Uses drugs, Eats junk, Caring about his or her safety.

Instead, he or she: Rides a motorcycle without a helmet, Drinks or uses drugs and drives, Drives recklessly, Has unprotected sex, Walks in dangerous areas, Calling when he or she is going to be late, Caring about what is important to me, Being loving to me, Listening to me, Getting a job

- My child never does what I ask. He or she is always resistant.

- My child suffers from low self-esteem.

- My child is depressed.

- My child feels unloved.

- My child is bossy with other kids.

- My child is tense, anxious, angry and/or unhappy.

- My child beats up on younger kids. My child does not take personal responsibility.

What are the Negative Consequences to You of Trying to Control Your Child?Your controlling behavior may also have negative consequences for you, especially in the long run.What are the consequences for you?

- Parenting is not fun. It feels like a burden.

- I feel resentful toward my child.

- I am tired of the power struggles.

- I feel tense, anxious, angry or frustrated.

- I feel like a failure as a parent.

- My child and I do not have fun together.

- I feel rageful and out of control. I feel overwhelmed.

Parenting really can become a wonderfully fulfilling experience when you learn to parent as a loving and respectful adult rather than from the fear and insecurity that underlies controlling behavior.The secret of letting go of controlling parenting is to learn what it means to be kind to yourself. If your focus is on being kind to your children but not to yourself, you will likely become a permissive parent, which has just as many negative consequences as controlling parenting. When you focus on being kind to yourself, you naturally refuse to tolerate unkind behavior from your children. However, instead of trying to control your children, you learn to take care of yourself. By learning to take loving action in your own behalf and setting logical consequences for your children's unacceptable behavior, your children will learn to take personal responsibility far more quickly than when you attempt to force it on them.

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About The Author: Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" and ¡°Healing Your Aloneness.¡± She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding? healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or email her at margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.