Some children are born bosses. They have a need to make decisions, manage their environment and lead rather than follow. Too much rule in the hands of the young isn’t healthy for children or the family. Family expert John Taylor says, “Children have secret feelings of weakness. They are always trying to feel safe. ”It’s the parents’ duty－not the child’s－to provide safety.
When a “boss child’’ doesn’t learn limits（限制）at home, troubles will appear outside the family. The child may have trouble obeying（遵守）teachers, for example, or keeping friends. It can be pretty lonely as the top dog if no one likes your ruling ways.
Bossy kids are often unusually bright. Their parents need to be especially careful to manage them. Bossy kids usually work more on the mother. It’s important for both parents to know their child’s weakness, to agree on key rules and to back each up.
Even as you try to be kind—to a point—don’t give up your parental ruling post. Instead, stand your ground by using body language that tells your child who the boss is.
Good manners are important to family. Show a child by example how to ask for something rather than shout orders. Try asking your child to do things that are not too difficult. Then reward（奖励）him with a hug（拥抱）and words such as “Thank you. I like it when you listen to me.” Over time good manners will become associated（联结）with pleasure.
小题1:Is the passage mainly about how to teach children?
小题2:Do boss children usually feel lonely or have a lot of friends?
小题3:Which of the parents should know their child’s weakness?
小题4:Why is it important to teach children good manners?
小题5:What should parents be like to teach a boss child well?
