You’re going to negotiate with your kids today, probably multiple times. According to one informal survey of 2,000 parents, we negotiate with our children an average of six times a day (lasting about eight minutes each, or 24 hours a month). Imagine how much these numbers have escalated under the circumstances many now find themselves — working at home and being with their kids 24/7.
How to Negotiate…with Your Kids
Many parents who can execute high-stakes deals, who can persuade their colleagues to take new points of view, and who can handle conversations about raises and promotions with ease struggle when negotiating with their own kids. In their research, the authors have identified three factors that derail negotiations at home: the emotions that parents and our children bring to the conversation, the repetitive and ongoing character of many family negotiations, and lack of careful preparation by of parents. When parents bring their business negotiation skills home — prioritizing their goals, asking good questions, putting offers on the table in ways that inspire creativity and generate possibilities — they’ll reach better outcomes and model effective problem-solving skills.