If your kids worry, feel anxious or fearful, you might hear them say, "I can't." This can be hard on you and your child. If you want your child to take reasonable risks and try new things, let Knuckle Power come to the rescue. It's a great parenting technique I learned years ago from NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) Classes. Knuckle Power (my term) can change "I can't" into "I can." Let's find out how. I remember a six-year-old girl I'll call "Sally" (not her real name). Sally's mother brought her to counseling because Sally refused to go to her room. This caused problems at bedtime. Sally would scream and cry, "I'm afraid."

Sally told me, "The lions and tigers will hurt me." Sally believed that the lions and tigers from the local zoo were waiting for her in her bedroom. "It's time for Knuckle Power," I thought.

In talking with Sally, I found out that she needed bravery, confidence, and the feeling of success to deal with her fear of going to bed. I knew she could have all three with Knuckle Power.

"Sally," I instructed, "press the top knuckle of your index finger with the index finger of you