Love and Logic Solution:

Guiding Children to Solve Their Own Problems

Love and Logic Step One: Empathy.
“How sad.”
“I bet that hurts.”
Love and Logic Step Two: Send the “Power Message.”
“What do you think you’re going to do?”
Love and Logic Step Three: Offer choices.
“Would you like to hear what other kids have tried?”
At this point, offer a variety of choices that range from bad to good. It’s usually best to start out with the poor choices.
Each time a choice is offered, go on to step four, forcing the youngster to state the consequence in his/her own words. This means that you will be going back and forth between Love and Logic steps three and four.
Love and Logic Step Four: Have the child state the consequences.
“And how will that work?”
Love and Logic Step Five: Give permission for the child to either solve the problem or not solve the problem.
“Good luck. I hope it works out.”
Have no fear. If the child is fortunate enough to make a poor choice, he/she may have a double learning lesson.

The Love and Logic People

2207 Jackson Street, Golden, CO 80401

1-800-338-4065 www.loveandlogic.com

©Jim Fay 1979 • Permission granted for photocopy reproduction. Please do not alter or modify contents. For more information, call The Love and Logic Institute, Inc. at (800) 338-4065.