Rachel Flinn

“Demanding also has another important limitation that makes it almost entirely unhelpful when dealing with child anxiety. When we are demanding something, we are demanding it of someone else. When a demand we make is not met, we often respond with frustration or anger because we feel helpless to enforce the demand or undermined by the lack of compliance. This can lead to conflict and hostility. In the method described in this book, you will not be required to make any demands on your child. Of course, this only applies to the steps you take to help your child become less anxious. Demands that relate to other parts of their lives and functioning will continue. But in helping your child to become less anxious, there will be no need to demand anything of her. So following the steps outlined in this book should not lead to increased anger or frustration in you. Some suggestions may make your child upset with you when you implement them, but that is a temporary reaction and will pass. In the meantime, you will be able to remain calm and not become angry because you have not demanded anything your child has not done.”
― Eli R. Lebowitz, Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents