5 Ways “Don’t” Sets Your Child Up To Be Defiant

How many times have you yelled, “Don’t do that?” to a child about to do something he shouldn’t? And how many times has he gone right ahead and done it anyway? It’s enough to drive you crazy. “What doesn’t he understand about no?” we ask. He understands plenty. It’s just that he wants what he wants when he wants it. And when you put your attention on what he wants, all the better.

Stop putting so much attention on what you don’t want your children to do and put it on what you do want them to do. There are lots of kids—shall I say most?—who hear the word “don’t” and use it as a signal to go right ahead and do what it was they wanted in the first place.

What you put your focus on is where your energy goes and your child’s follows. What you focus on grows. It’s as simple as that. Whatever you want your child to get better at, that’s what needs your attention. For example, if you want your children’s respect, put your focus on respectful behavior. Show your child what respect looks like and try not to waver. When you yell and scream at them, that’s what they learn to do, too. When you take privileges away as a punishment, they will resist doing what you want as a way of punishing you. If we want them to take responsibility for their actions, we need to take responsibility for ours. Stop blaming your reactions on your child, or how exhausted you are. Your reactions are yours and you need to be accountable for them if you want your child to be accountable for hers.

1.    “Don’t pour that soda in the kiddie pool.” Focus is on the soda and the kiddie pool. Result: That’s where the soda goes. Instead: “Can I have a taste of your soda, please? What flavor is it?” Focus shifts to the soda and you.

2.   “Don’t you dare talk to me like that.” Focus is on blame of child. Result: Child gets defensive and blames back, “Don’t tell me what to do, you’re not the boss of me!” Instead: “I don’t like to be spoken to that way. Can you rewind and tell me what you want me to know.” Focus shifts to you and how you feel.

3.    “Don’t lie to me. I saw what you did.” Focus is on lying and blame. Result: More lies to avoid the blame. Instead: “Can you tell me your side of the story?” Focus shifts to child’s point of view.

4.    “Don’t hit your sister. How many times have I told you there is no hitting in this house?” Focus is on hitting. Result: The hitting continues. Instead: “I know you know it’s not right to hit.” Focus is on your trust of your child. “So that tells me you must have felt so angry you couldn’t stop yourself.” Focus is on child’s feelings-connection. Child now able to problem solve.

5.    “Don’t do it that way.” Focus is on the wrong way. Result: It gets done the wrong way. Instead: “What do you think is the best way to get that done?” Focus is on child’s thought process.

No guarantees here, but there’s more chance for success.

We all want to bring out the best in our children. Yet we feel compelled to harp on their worst behavior with anger, blame, threats and criticism, thinking that will turn them around. When was the last time someone’s criticism of you motivated you to do what that person wanted? Do you really think that blame and judgment will encourage your child’s best to show up? When much of our energy focuses on the negative, what we get is negative. If we focus on the child as a problem, the child becomes a problem.

Imagine responding to an angry child who has just yelled, “No, I don’t want to” with, “Well you certainly know what you want and don’t want. Nobody is ever going to push you around. Your determination is admirable. Now how can we find a way to cooperate with each other?” Your child may actually end up feeling empowered by your words which will lead to cooperation a lot faster than criticism.

Our job as parents is to highlight (not praise) the qualities we see in our children that we want them to develop and to draw out attributes they may not know they possess. Never focus on the wrongdoing. Instead focus on your child’s competency.