Setting Boundaries Without Power Struggles

Setting Boundaries Without Power Struggles

From Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled by JLML Press

April 14, 2026 · 22 min

About this episode

Janet discusses how to set boundaries with children without engaging in power struggles.

A mother writes that she's been struggling with her 5-year-old daughter lately, who's been "provoking and testing boundaries on a new level." She has been especially harsh on her two-year old sibling, but when this mom and her partner step in, it inevitably leads to confrontation, tears, and hurtful words. Janet suggests an empathic approach—understanding the "why" behind this behavior -- and explains when, why, and how her approach to setting effective limits works. Janet's "No Bad Kids Master Course" is available at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NoBadKidsCourse.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JanetLansbury.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please support our sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Janet

Topics covered

  • parenting
  • child development
  • empathy
  • boundaries
  • family dynamics

Keywords

  • power struggles
  • empathic approach
  • effective limits
  • testing boundaries
  • sibling rivalry

Mentioned in this episode

Products: No Bad Kids Master Course, JanetLansbury.com

Books & works: No Bad Kids Master Course

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