How to Hypnotize Your Kids

Kathryn Swegart shares common-sense tips on parenting. 

Several years ago, my daughter sat down at the computer and clicked on the history tab. It was a regular habit she had to check on what her kids researched on the internet. One item jumped out at her: how to hypnotize your parents. Her eyes widened. What scheme did her teenage son have cooking? Perhaps he visualized waving a shiny object in front of her eyes. Ah, yes ... once under his spell, Mom would let him eat popcorn and watch movies into the wee hours of morning. 

On challenging days, we may wish we could turn the tables and hypnotize our kids to be perfectly behaved children. Good luck with that plan, but do not fear. Child discipline may not be as hard as you think. Parenting experts have common-sense ideas to get you through those rough patches. 

Advice From an Expert

Rachael Popcak shared three positive tips in an article about becoming a graceful parent on CatholicCounselors.com. Before we look at her ideas, let us turn to the word “discipline.” It comes from the Latin word disciplina, which means instruction, teaching, learning, and training. 

Popcak advises that parents focus on “leading your child to a better place.” Practical tips include “do-overs, role-playing, time-in, and cool downs.” Here is one simple example of a "do-over" we used as a correction for door slamming. When our child slammed a door, we had the child stop and quietly close the door three times. 

Catch them doing something right. Praise even small improvements in behavior. Perhaps an older child offers to read a book to a younger sibling. Indicate that simple gesture helped Mom. Popcak writes, “believe it or not, kids want to be good, and they desperately crave approval.” 

Popcak also recommends that parents show affection to their children. Hugs throughout the day “helps reset their heart rate, respiration, body temperature and other bodily rhythms when they are feeling stressed, frustrated, angry, anxious, or overwhelmed.”  

Here's What Worked for Me

I have other suggestions. On stressful days, break the mood. I remember one rainy day when we were all stuck in the house. Spontaneously, I threw a blanket over my head, turned on spooky music, and creeped around the house, much to the delight of my giggling kids.

Cozy up on a couch and read books together. The laundry can wait. Bake cookies. Kids enjoy cooking and everyone loves the smell of cookies baking in the oven. 

Popcak does not recommend punishing a child for poor behavior. One day I heard my younger son getting mad at his older brother. “I hate you,” he yelled. I called him into the kitchen and did my version of washing his mouth with soap. I placed a dab of dishwashing liquid on his tongue. He looked miserable and spit out the soapy saliva. I regretted my actions. My son said, “That’s okay, Mom, next time just don’t use so much soap.” 

I could not help but smile, apologize, and give him a hug.  

Saintly Words for Parents on Tough Days

We all make mistakes as parents. Saint Francis de Sales wrote one of the first books on the spiritual life that was written for lay people. His Golden Counsels speak to the heart of parents having a bad day:

First thing in the morning, prepare your heart to be at peace; then take care throughout the day to call it back to that peace frequently. If you happen to do something you regret, be neither astonished nor upset, but having acknowledged your failing, humble yourself quietly before God and try to gain your gentle composure. 

You probably guessed that I was not really going to teach you how to hypnotize your kids. Hugs and prayers work better anyway. 

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Copyright 2025 Kathryn Swegart
Images: Canva