Power struggle is everywhere in my house · Real Talk: by Brave Moms

Power struggle is everywhere in my house

My youngest is 2 and aren’t all 2 year olds going through a power struggle stage?? Haha. When he hears no or doesn’t get what he wants, screaming ensues. My tactic at the moment is attempt to communicate and offer things he may need, when that doesn’t work I peace out and go on about what I was doing. Today I put him in his crib and checked on him in two minute increments until he finally decided he wanted mom to pick him up. My first born was not this way. My biggest struggle is when it happens in the store… I usually slink down an empty isle and give a firm demand to stop, enough is enough, threaten to go back to the car or get a spanking. It usually gets us through a rushed attempt at grabbing what we need.

My 5 year old and 17 year old butt heads constantly. My 17 year old is excessively bossy and tells my 5 year old not to do things I wouldn’t even tell her not to do. My 5 year old usually just attempts to defy her constantly and then comes and tells me how JJ (the 17 year old) is so mean!! Usually through tears and red faced.

There used to be quite a power struggle between me and my 17 year old when she was younger but I caught on to the ways she was trying to bait me and that helped me shut things down in the beginning.

I know this is about our kids, but I feel as though there is a bit of a power struggle going on with me and my husband. I am totally a woman who takes charge and it all works out fine until something I want to do interferes with my husbands world or until he steps in to make something happen. My kids have seen that struggle a number of times and I’m not proud to admit it.

I think power struggles stim from wanting to be in control or to control an outcome. Everybody wants something and is looking out for their own interests. Maybe expressing our interests and concerns instead of just trying to control everything would be a better approach.

2 comments