Negotiation is an important skill used multiple times everyday, at work, at home and sometimes even while shopping.
Today we are talking about how to use this skill with your kids. Have you ever thought about that? Or are you are a seasoned expert?
As per a survey with around 2000 parents, they spend almost a day equivalent time every month negotiating with kids. Whether it is about what toys you would buy for them, or getting them to sleep early for a surprise gift, it goes on.
Now, imagine, during the recent situation when people are working from home and schools are closed, this time would have increased multi-folds.
There are many stories on the internet where many big shots successfully negotiate multi-million dollar deals at work fails at the very skills with kids at the dinner table. And what do they do then? Send them to the other parent.
We asked many such parents the reason for their failure with kids. Interestingly one common reason we got was kids’ irrational behaviour, while they were very effective at handling the same irrational behaviour from the business clients.
What are these challenges that stumble negotiations at home?
Three common challenges most parents face when negotiating with kids at home are:
- Unpreparedness. You plan for your deals and meetings, while at home you are surprised with topics that you have not anticipated. When you are dealing with your landlord or a car dealer, you do your due diligence and prepare ahead of time.
- Rut. Parents are used to the repetition at home. Sometimes, it is getting them to do their homework or household chores, while other time it could be about playing along with their siblings. When you fall in that pattern, you sometimes get into a rut and run out of ideas.
- Emotions. Kids press different emotional buttons that your co-workers or other adults you deal with outside your home. You might get played off the other parent or the simple melt-down in front of you to throw all your negotiations off the table. Unlike your colleagues, these young ones might take you on a guilt-trip and sidetrack you from the focussed conversation you were planning to have with them.
To be continued…
