Summary: In this episode, Neil responds to a question from a mother struggling in control battles with several kids at the same time. Neil cautions this mother about her likely parental burnout and offers her a new path forward. Neil explains the difference between being “other-person oriented” and “self-oriented” and how the former invites resistance and the latter invites healthy child and adolescent development. Neil explains how and why self-orientation is a positive personal quality distinct from selfishness and self-centeredness, which are negative personal qualities. Neil role-plays examples of the differences in approache that might just sound painfully familiar. Neil ends with a challenge to all of us to look inward and ask ourselves where we are other-person oriented and where we are self-oriented and to work to become more self-oriented selves. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit
