60 MANIPULATING A CHILD CREATES A
DISTRUSTING, CONTROLLING ADULT.

Manipulation seeks to get a child to do what’s best for us instead of what’s best for them.

Manipulation uses bribes, false promises, lies, and deceit to get our way.

We manipulate children, fearing that if they make decisions on their own, they will make wrong decisions. But there are times when a child will fail. They will learn from failure just as we have.

We cannot manipulate children or circumstances to get our way. Doing so will create children who will not be able to trust us or others. They will grow up into distrusting and controlling adults.

We manipulate so that we can get the agreement or the approval of others. We manipulate because we believe we must win at any cost.

Instead of manipulating your child, release your child to be creative, curious, inventive, and exploring. Teach your child the truth. Equip your child to make right-from-wrong decisions. Trust your child to make more and more of his or her own decisions. When they make a wrong decision, help them correct the mistake and learn from it.

Set your child free to grow into a trusting adult.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Cor. 3:17).