Directives that Defy Resistance
Parents are in the unpleasant position of telling children to cooperate and
follow rules over and over. Asking children to perform tasks gives them the
option to say no. They will test the limits of this “freedom” by refusing. True
requests are phrased, “Would you . . . ?” These should be reserved for
relationships with spouses and friends with whom parents are not in a
position of authority. Outright demands and orders can also provoke
resistance. You can lighten your load as taskmaster by using the following
“indirect directives” that speak to the part of every child that wants to
cooperate and succeed:
Truth or Choice
- A truism is a statement of fact that cannot be denied—“You can
tell people how you feel without saying that they are stupid.”
- A bind restricts children to a narrow range of responses, allows
them to make an acceptable choice and provides an image of
success—“Would you rather say, ‘I don’t understand you’ or, ‘I
don’t agree with you?’”
- A double bind asks a question in a way that makes children
agree regardless of how they answer—“Do you know how you
are going to say that differently?”
- A false choice is a double bind worded as an option—“If you’re
not going to do it right, just do it!”
Suggestions and Implication
- An underlying assumption uses a pause to insert an indirect
suggestion—“I’m not sure when . . . you will find a polite way to
say that.”
- Questions are an easy way to embed suggestions and double
binds simultaneously—“Just how will you . . . say that
differently?”
- An implied directive assumes something will happen and
suggests a way to signal when it is done—“As soon as you . . .
think of a nicer way to say that . . . you can just walk away.”
- Serial suggestions use the momentum of linking a difficult task
or a response children are not likely to make with expected
behaviors—“Don’t change your tone of voice until you’ve
finished rolling your eyes at me.”
Confuse to Create Change
- The word “try” blocks the action following it—“You can try to
keep saying nasty things to people.”
- Dares push children to do something they are reluctant to
do—“You couldn’t say that politely even if you wanted to.”
- Reverse psychology encourages children to do what they are
doing to help them do the opposite—“Someone your age
couldn’t think of a nice way of saying that so you might as well
keep dishing out insults until it isn’t worth the effort.”
- Pairing opposite words adds confusion—“Sometimes the
harder you try to insult people, the easier it is to be kind.”
Indirect directives are equally powerful when used in a negative way—
“Please try to do the dishes” blocks cooperation. “Will you ever learn to do
anything right?” implies failure. With this kind of talk parents can literally
hypnotize children to do the very behaviors they least want them to do. It is
fine for parents to be direct and say, “I would like you to . . .” However, the
more ways parents have to make daily demands, the less children will be
able to resist them.
The following chart shows how the 12 types of indirect directives can
address a variety of behaviors by approaching children through the “back
door” of their minds. Notice embedded suggestions to be spoken with
special emphasis. Pregnant pauses ( . . . ) and words like “surprising” help
children focus their attention:
| Behavior | Indirect Directive | Type |
| Attitude | Surely you could try to complain a little more Before you even . . . think of agreeing, let me hear your argument. |
9, 11 |
| Compliance | Should we get pizza after you mow the lawn or when you're done? Do you know exactly when . . . you will start washing the dishes? Don’t . . . start the dishes . . . until you’ve had a moment to relax. On your way out the door, you can put your clothes in the closet. |
4 3 7, 11 1, 8 |
| Cooperation | It might take you 2 hours or 2 days to . . . decide to tell me the truth. You can take time to . . . reach your decision. Your can forget to lie or . . . remember to tell the truth. |
2, 5 1, 5 4, 12 |
| Honesty | It might take you 2 hours or 2 days to . . . decide to tell me the truth. You can take time to . . . reach your decision. Your can forget to lie or . . . remember to tell the truth. |
2, 5 1, 5 4, 12 |
| Hyperactivity | I’m not sure how . . . you will learn to focus and concentrate. It’s surprising . . . how politely you could get out all that extra energy by wiggling your toes or doodling on a scrap of paper. You can’t even stand still without wiggling and wanting to sit down. |
5, 8, 10 2, 5 |
| Manners | This is the best of your worst tantrums. Pretty soon you will . . . get so weak from screaming that you’ll find out you can’t even . . . be calm. The harder shake your fist at me, the better you’ll start to feel. |
12 8,10,11 |
| Violence | While I’m sitting on you, you’ll have plenty of time to figure out how you are going to . . . stop giving everyone a bloody nose. |
5, 8 3, 4 |
Indirect directives will not eliminate the need to withhold privileges or take
action; but they can implant subliminal suggestions before children have a
chance to resist. However, even the best hypnotist can only implant
acceptable suggestions. Therefore, do not use this approach to attempt to
alter beliefs and interests that children hold dear. Harness the power of
positive speaking to help children accept reasonable requests.