MaMammalia: Say What You Mean and Ask For What You Want →
A great series on Unconditional Parenting that’s helping me out with some ways to talk with my kids about what I need and want, gentle discipline-style:
Recently, and with some inspiration from nonviolent communication, I’ve started phrasing my requests in terms of what I want and need. It’s a subtle change in words, but the results are rather dramatic. I feel empowered when I ask my son to do or not do something because I express my desires honestly. And I think he feels empowered because the approach is so honest. Instead of making a demand from dominant figure to submissive figure, I respectfully state my request, from human to human.
