Side-Stepping Negative Energy

Both parents and children initiate verbal hostilities. These demands are often made in angry and hurtful ways. Yet, angry emotions are often misdirected. We get mad at one person and take it out on another person. It is often helpful to regard anger as negative energy and the most effective way to avoid the negative energy is to side step out of its path. For example, the negative energy of a bullet is best ducked than confronted. The best way to defend a hostile attack is to side step and let the attacker fall on his face with his own negative energy. We, then, expend less energy than if we resisted and fought back. If we resist, we get caught up in the negative energy.

Side stepping negative energy allows a parent to remain responsible, level headed and, as a role model, teaches the child an effective way to manage conflict.