Children do not have the part of the brain required to manipulate

My 5 year old has started manipulating me.
 
 
I have to stay on alert all the time - otherwise she will make me do exactly what she wants."
A mom tells me.
"If I get angry - she is the best child in the world.
 
 
But as soon as I start smiling and laughing - she goes back to misbehaving.
It is scary. If she behaves like this at 5 - what will I do when she is 15?"
A mom tells me at a consultation.
 
"Take it from me - she is not manipulating you".
I tell the mom.
She is acting out of the fear.
Her compliance is a survival mechanism."
 
Children do not have the part of the brain required to manipulate.
They are incapable of the hypothetical thinking and empathy required to manipulate.
 
If your child is manipulating you - you can be sure that somewhere along the way - you have gone wrong with the way you are implementing #discipline.
 
Fix it now.
Reach out for help.

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