| Transactional analysis is a tool which can help everybody in all relationships. Check it out.
It works from the basis of adult vs child(ish) behaviour: When both persons are using the adult way of communication both can win- the trick is to "force" the opponent to assume the adult behaviour pattern, by employing it yourself. (provided I remember correctly!)
It is easy to understand and easy to apply, and as nobody loses any "ground"...
Btw, in the scenario Mr"X" ignores the intention of his parent- which, all things being reasonably normal, is the welfare of Mr"X". The parent does not want to regain all ground from Mr"X"- nobody wants a dependent, immature offspring!
The fact is that the parent is, or should be, willing and able to willingly give up ground to Mr"X", provided the parent can be shown(or perceive) that Mr"X" is responsible and mature enough to effectively handle the given ground to his and the parent's expectations- eg safely, responsibly, confidently and to both their expecations and ultimate good.
Using transactional analysis, both can share their feelings and POVs without fear or anger, to determine where the line is and should be in the "battleground"- which need not be, and should not be, a "battleground" at all. |