
We’ve all had kids who go through a phase that no matter what type of discipline you use nothing works.
You try the naughty step, you try time outs.
You try star charts and positive reinforcement.
You try taking away treasured toys but your stubborn little terror won’t succumb to anything.
You are at your wits end. You’d try anything.
Well have you thought about hypnotism?

Have you thought about hypnotism? Image via IStock.
A mother of three from the US claims she has been hypnotising her children since they were babies and is now offering her services to teach other parents how to take over their child’s minds, well at least get them to do as they are told.
You are getting tired, your eyelid are getting heavy. You will open your eyes, tidy up your Lego, eat all your fish fingers and beans without spilling a drop on the floor and will smile sweetly and glance the other way when we pass the Kinder Surprises at the supermarket.
Can you imagine it? This mother says it’s a sure fire way to make parenting easier and to make your kids do what they are told.
Lisa Machenberg, 56, began hypnotising her own children to help them get through the night without wetting the bed. She uses her methods to help them do their chores, complete their homework and with personal issues like performance anxiety and difficulties focusing.
Lisa Machenberg now runs a business helping others. Image via Facebook.
Her methods might seem controversial but despite its reputation as a method of public humiliation on commercial TV hypnotism has been long recognised as having valid therapeutic uses for some people in treating forms of addiction, like smoking and in overcoming phobias.
Top Comments
I'm pretty sure I saw this family on some parenting TV show on Foxtel - Extreme Parenting or something like that? This just feels very creepy and controlling. It's one thing to get your child to clean their room because you asked them (eventually!), but to hypnotise them into doing it? Weird.
I'm with you, Rush. It sounds creep and controlling to me too.
I'm very uncomfortable with the idea that the kids don't get a chance to show their rebellion or form their own identity. That includes the need to make mistakes and antagonise people by being unco-operative. It also deprives her of the opportunity to role-model what to do when you're thwarted.
I just don't like the way she sounds like she uses it, Maybe there are advantages to teaching kids how to relax, but not the rest- tempting as it is.