Dealing with strong-willed parents
In the wake of what I now call the Cardiff fandango , I have been having a summer of hardline parenting, research into Manipulative and Strong-Willed Children, and experimentation. Here's what happened and what I learnt: 1. Getting the kids to do chores I don't want to do, but need to get done (aka washing the car, weeding the path), and paying them for it, can be incredibly good fun. Learning: if it costs a bob or two, don't sweat it. They did the work, they earnt it. 2. Always seize the opportunity to pick blackberries when out and about. A sure sign that the summer holidays are coming to an end, and absolutely free. Learning: take a hat, you never know when you'll need extra storage. 3. Put up a tent in the garden , and let the children stay out overnight. The first night son was back in twenty minutes, afraid of foxes. But once daughter had made it, he screwed his courage to his sticking plaster, and stayed put, even in the rain. Learning: sibling ri...