Parenting skills are not handed out at the hospital along with the birth certificate.  Fortunately, we learn as we go.  What works for one child may not work for the other and some children are more difficult to raise than others.  Ah, if we only had the wisdom of Solomon!

 What is your parenting style?

•  Have you ever worked for a boss that micro-managed every aspect of your job?  Where 'control freak' was just one of many less than complimentary names given to him or her?  
• Have you ever been on a committee that evolved into a committee of one,  when 'Miss Know It All' handed out tasks like a four star general?  Did you sit there with the others, tucking your tongue into your cheek to keep from informing her that you had a brain too?
• Were you a child whose parent told her when, how and where to do everything, that they knew best about everything and that there was no point to arguing or protesting?  How did that make you feel?
• Are you a parent who over manages her child, or do you give him room for making decisions, for choosing between this or that or the other?  
• Do you empower your kids or deflate them of all initiative? 
• Have you mastered the fine art of parenting: knowing when to give and when to take?  Yeah, where is Solomon?

Although we as parents are in charge, and responsible for our children's well being, there are areas where we can lighten-up and allow our children to assert themselves.  How else will they ever learn how to do that? How will they ever feel empowered if we refuse to let them win a single argument?  Do you really want them to be little 'Mini-Me's, or to have minds of their own?

My suggestion:  Step back and choose your battles wisely.  Children need space to stretch, to learn and develop their coping skills.  Within reasonable guidelines, allow them that space.

The Schoolmarm