After binge-watching an episode of House of Cards featuring Frank Underwood’s cunning tactics to navigate tricky situations, I found myself thinking, “Frank, you may be ruthless, but your finesse is impressive. I wonder if I could apply some of that creativity with my kids?” It dawned on me that I might already be employing some of Frank and Claire’s strategies. While my ambitions don’t extend to world domination, they do include merely surviving the chaos of daily parenting. Here’s how I mirror their tactics:
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Sometimes a Little Deception is Necessary.
Frank Underwood isn’t afraid to twist the truth, especially when doing so averts bigger disasters. In parenting, a small fib can sometimes be the best option. For instance, when my toddler had an accident on the girls’ bedroom floor, my main concern was keeping the older siblings from discovering the mess. A potential meltdown was looming, so I cleverly sent my five-year-old on a quest for a nonexistent yellow balloon while I cleaned up, claiming it was to ensure a tidy bedtime. Sometimes a harmless untruth is the best way to maintain peace. -
Selective Ignorance.
As the leader, Frank is expected to oversee his team’s actions, yet he often turns a blind eye to the less savory details. Similarly, I occasionally ignore my children’s TV habits. They’re allowed only two shows per night, but when I hear the theme song for the third episode, I find it easier to stay out of it. I know this could teach them to be sneaky, but it allows me to prepare dinner in peace—all while we pretend that no rules are being broken. -
Subtle Incentives.
While Frank is careful not to engage in overt bribery with his political maneuvers, he knows how to dangle appealing offers without crossing a line. I, too, have adopted this approach. Although direct bribery is frowned upon, I often resort to indirect incentives. Phrases like “If you get ready for bed now, you’ll have more energy for the fun event planned for tomorrow” help me achieve compliance without feeling like I’m bribing them outright. -
Concealing Evidence.
Frank is a master at cover-ups, navigating both politics and darker undertakings. I’m not hiding any crimes, but I have been known to discreetly remove unwanted toys. Not long ago, I tossed a moldy dinosaur into the trash only to realize that my kids assumed the toddler had done it. Instead of confessing, I kept quiet and let them comfort him, knowing that honesty wouldn’t have improved the situation. -
The Art of the Empty Threat.
Frank excels at bluffing, sometimes succeeding, other times finding himself in hot water. With my kids, I’ve learned that idle threats can lead to unintentional consequences. For example, I once declared, “That’s it—no coffee for us!” during a squabble, but really, I craved that caffeine. I quickly backtracked, saying it was their last chance, even if the parenting experts wouldn’t approve. But hey, a big slice of cake and a cappuccino were worth it.
In conclusion, while parenting may not involve the high-stakes drama of politics, there are certainly parallels in strategy and creativity. Navigating the daily challenges of parenthood may require a touch of cleverness and a dash of improvisation, much like the machinations of Frank Underwood.
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