QUESTION:
I hope you can help me with my strong-willed daughter. She is very bright and got herself into some difficulties by not wanting to obey her first grade teacher.
RESPONSE:
Explain to the teacher that your daughter is extremely independent and that the teacher will have more success—and reduce stress on everyone’s part—if the teacher aims at EMPOWERING your daughter, instead of overpowering her in attempts to get her to obey.
Encourage the teacher to talk in positive terms and use a phrase such as, “I know you can do this because I have seen how capable you are.”
If you daughter is empowered, obedience will follow as a natural by-product.