Archive · 1 Oct 2026

How Parents Can Stop Children Playing Them Against Each Other

How Parents Can Stop Children Playing Them Against Each Other

Sometimes children ask both parents the same question to get the answer they want.

They may notice which parent is more likely to say yes.

Parents can have different opinions, and that is normal.

But parents should not argue about those opinions in front of the child.

Instead, they can say they will discuss the issue and answer later.

The parents should talk about what worries each of them.

For example, they can discuss where a party is and how the child will get home.

This helps the child understand that rules are decided by the adults together.

If a parent changes their mind after learning more, that can be a useful lesson about maturity.

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