On March 19, our Professional Development Program Manager Coco McAtee appeared on Fox 4's morning news show to discuss power struggles with your children. Click here to visit Fox 4 News.

How can you ensure that your child doesn't turn into a bully, a doormat or a spoiled child who always gets his or her way? Learn tips for how to help your child make decisions in a way that's healthy for their development ... and that avoids power struggles within your family.

Although it's not best for your child to always get his or her way, children still need some sense of control in their lives. When you give children choices in appropriate situations, such as between two outfits to wear to school, the child feels that he or she has a fair part in making decisions about his or her life. You're also forcing your child to think and helping him or her learn how to make their own decisions ... important steps to raising responsible people who will be able to stand on their own two feet as adults.

Dangers of not giving choices

• Your child views situations as win-lose
• More fights, likelihood for bullying
• More apathy, likelihood to become doormat
• Your child doesn't learn healthy give and take

Only give choices that

• Don't disrupt other family members
• Are age-appropriate
• Fit with your values
• That are OK with you

Archive of Parenting Tips