As a parent, your dream version of your child might be one that always listens and defers to whatever you request of them. However, the reality version of your child is likely much different. Because of this, it’s vital for parents to know how to compromise with their children in order to raise happy and healthy kids who are ready to face the world once they become adults.

To help you get your family to this point, here are three tips for making healthy compromises with your kids that don’t end in a power struggle. 

Create Boundaries For When Compromise Won’t Happen

In order to allow compromise to happen with your children, both you and your children need to know when compromises won’t be happening. This can help you both know what the boundaries are and when seeking a compromise is feasible.

For most situations, you’re going to want to teach your kids that you won’t ever be compromising with them on things like values, principles, and morals. So if a compromise is ever brought up for one of these types of situations, even if you think it might be easier to just give in at this moment, standing firm now on this will help you avoid future fights on these same types of issues. 

Ask Questions To Help You Better Understand Why They Want What They Want

One reason why compromising can be hard between parents and children is because both sides don’t completely understand where the other person is coming from. And since you’re the adult in this situation, it’s up to you to try to bridge the gap here by seeking to understand your child.

To help you do this, try asking questions when you don’t understand why your child thinks a compromise is required in your given situation. By asking the right questions and seeking to understand what want or need your child is wanting to have filled, you might be able to more willingly compromise or come up with a solution that everyone will be happy with. 

Give Them Some Leeway

In many situations, pleas for a compromise are often a child’s ways of trying to gain some semblance of control over their own life. Knowing this, you can offer more control to your child by giving them choices and leeway in what decisions you make together.

For example, if your child is needing to practice piano but is currently refusing, you can compromise by allowing them to pick their chosen activity to do for a set amount of time before they need to start practicing piano. This way, your child can feel like they are getting something they want before compromising with you, which could prove to bring more peace to the situation. 

If you feel like you’re always fighting with your kids, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn how to make healthy compromises within your family.