The Difference Between Being in Charge and Being in Control

The key to effective parenting is maintaining a connection with your child and ensuring they have a voice. Discipline should focus on creating a safe environment and guiding them, rather than blindly reacting. Being in charge means managing the child's environment, rather than controlling the child. For example, instead of yelling at a child for eating cookies, remove the cookies from the home. In a meltdown situation, being in charge involves setting better expectations and meeting the child's needs. It's important to be mindful of the environment and what you're setting up for the child, rather than solely trying to control their behavior.