Being a daughter, and having a daughter, I know all to well that Mothers and Daughters do not always disagree. In fact, during those tween/teen years, it can sometimes seem like there is nothing they can agree upon.
On August 14, Ever After High™ is launching its exclusive Netflix series called Way too Wonderland. In this series, Raven Queen, the daughter of the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, tries to magically reverse her mother’s curse on Wonderland and accidentally transports her and her friends to Wonderland High. As the girls fall down the rabbit hole, their outfits are magically transformed for the new spellbinding world. Raven Queen and her mother must learn to overcome their differences to get all the girls back to Ever After High.
Taking a few lessons from Way too Wonderland, here are some tips on how to manage opposing opinions with your daughter:
#1) Talk it out ~ If you and your daughter are facing a difference of opinions, give her the opportunity to explain herself in a way that makes her feel heard. Sometimes, simply allowing her the chance to explain her perspective will help to alleviate tension and move forward.
#2) Don’t react ~ Instead of jumping to a reaction or conclusion, take a moment to reflect. Gather your thoughts, consider why you’re having a difference of opinions and then calmly address the topic with your daughter. You won’t regret taking the time to decide how to best manage the situation.
#3) Reverse the roles ~ When you have conflict with your daughter, try to put yourself in her position. Where is she coming from? Why is she so passionate about this particular topic? When you approach her, show her that you’ve considered her point of view and explain your perspective. Even if you both agree to disagree, you’ll have a much better understanding of each other’s viewpoints.
#4) Encourage choice ~ Sometimes, the best thing we can do is let our children make their own decisions and form their own opinions, even if they are different from your own. While you may not agree with your child’s course of action, we should continue to love and support them.
GIVEAWAY MOMETN:
1 CANADIAN Mommy Moment reader will WIN an Ever After high Rebel doll, valued at $24.99!
**excluding residents of Quebec**
To enter, leave a blog post comment telling us what tips you find help when you are in conflict with your child.
You can sign-up to get an email update each day. You can also connect with us on:
Brandee H says
My son loves this show. Funny thing, it is exactly why I just signed up for Netflix. I have no idea why!! It has such a cool story line! When my son is upset or frustrated, I sit with him. I don’t talk, yell, or over power his words. I understand that he is not listening at that moment. Later when he has calmed down we talk about the situation.
Ira says
We both have the timeout and then talk.
Stephanie LaPlante says
Time outs before talking work like a charm.
Jeannie says
I find that if we both step away and cool off before discussing the conflict helps us.
Amy C says
I think that the talk it out and don’t react will be helpful
Lynda Cook says
I find tip #2 Don’t react to be the best one for me, I have a bad habit of jumping to conclusions
Jamie hall says
Trying to take a deep breath before reacting
Carole Dube says
We talk it out and I ask my child to offer a solution to the problem.
Cheryl says
I find sticking to your first thought and not letting your kids talk you into something else helps best with me.
Louise Gilbert says
We talk it out . usually I ask my son what solution we should take
kristen visser says
walk away for a couple mins to take a few breaths!!
Wendy Hutton says
time out and talking about what they did
kathy downey says
I like to take a time out for both of us and discuss it later when we have had time to think about it
tammy ta says
I like to guide them and encourage them to make a choice
Angela Mitchell says
Sometimes we both take a time out. A walk around the block often gives me a chance to figure out what to do next.
Carol Denny says
Time out and talk about it
Silvia D says
keep calm and talk about it.
Erika Belanger says
I am still having a hard time with my child because he just cries and yells. But I just try and calm him down and explain what he is doing wrong.
Andrea says
Wait a little bit then talk it out.
Juliee Fitze says
I have to walk away and gather myself first.
Dayna Wilson says
My best tip is to stop, regroup, and use acknowledging statements like “Okay, I understand that you’re feeling frustrated/angry/sad because x. That must feel really lousy. But we need to y.”
Pam R says
I find that I need to treat my 2 children very differently when we’re in conflict. My daughter requires a calm, patient, hold her tightly and speak softly until she calms down approach whereas my son needs to feel like he is being listened to as well.
Debbie W says
Talk it out and listen to both sides.
Jamie Williams says
ITS NOT EASY AT ALL, BUT I SOMETIMES MANAGE TO LOWER MY VOICE AS SHES RAISING HERS, WHICH ON OCCASION HAS MADE HER STOP AND LISTEN FOR A SECOND
Judy Cowan says
To not yell back at them and when things have calmed, talk it out.
Jonnie says
Encourage choices is a great tip. Kids are so much more open if they are allowed to make a few of their own decisions.
ivy pluchinsky says
timeouts and talking usually work
Holly MacRitchie says
It is important to stay calm, and to listen!
LisaM says
we both know we can walk away and count to 10 and then try again
Melissa Marie says
I take a deep breath, count to 10 and tell her to breath also.
Florence C says
# 2 Taking time to reflect is a perfect tip. In the few minutes you take to do that you conclusion may be totally different.
Nate Fuller says
We sit down and air out the problem and have some hugs and sorrys!
maria says
Keeping your voice calm.
angela m says
Take a minute to calm down and then talk it out
lori b says
time away to go over what had happened and then discuss
andie says
I always give my daughter a few min. to cool off before talking over a specific situation. Gives her a chance to vent before it’s directed at me.
andie says
My brother is an animator on this cartoon and we are so proud!! Keep watching!!
Ginger Gervais says
Taking a time out to cool down
Melinda says
I find that stopping the conflict by taking time apart is a good tool.
Meg says
Take a few deep breaths and time apart from each other!
Brenda Lacourciere says
Active listening as a parent does wonders.
Angie Andrews says
we both need space to calm down, once we are both calm we can talk about whatever the issue was and come to some sort of solution, compromise or understanding
Elva Roberts says
I found that the best way to handle conflicts with your children is to treat them as you would like to be treated. You validate their good points and find out why this problem is causing conflict. Then you settle on a solution that you both may live with. Now for a small child, you may have to be less obliging. You cannot, for instance, allow a child to play in a street. I have found that , after the child is 4 or so, they can usually be brought around, as long as they are treated with kindness and love.
Deb Dorrington says
Giving each other space for awhile works well in our home…just walking away for a time and then sitting down and talking it out. Most times we can come to a compromise if it is not something that I am dead set against.
caryn s says
I find taking a break to think things through always help.
Piroska says
Taking a breather, first, and calming down, thinking about what to say. Then sitting down and calmly talking about it.
chris jones says
stay calm
chris jones says
good trick.
ruth moreira-lozon says
we are blessed that it is very seldom that we are in conflict with our kids, but sometimes it happens. taking turns listening and taking a few minutes to think before speaking usually work to resolve the situation. once everyone feels heard, it is easier to find a solution.
sueboobadoo says
we both need a time out then do our best to talk it out
Nathania H says
Time outs, or lay in their bed and think about it, then myself or my husband will go talk with one of them one on one.
Christine L. says
#4 Encourage choice because when you have more than 1 child to deal with, it helps us all to find common ground.
Anna says
I find talking helps when I am in conflict with my daughter.
Alexandra says
Deep breaths. Listen to them acknowledge their feelings. Talk