Dealing With a Strong-Willed Child

Question: 

I like your ideas. I use them at home most of the time. Can you give me some ideas for a very stubborn child. She is so intense in playing and singing and dancing that I can hardly get her to stop long enough to dress or eat or listen to me. She is a sweet child and intelligent. I don’t want to spank her or yell at her to get her to do what she needs to do on time. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Answer:

Stubborn children are usually very intelligent children with a strong sense of self. These children do not respond well to any kind of punishment. Spanking or yelling may gain temporary compliance, but will increase power struggles. This invites children to use all their intelligence to defeat you instead of to cooperate. An important element of all positive discipline methods is that they help children use their intelligence to learn important life skills and positive characteristics such as self-discipline, responsibility, cooperation and problem-solving skills.