Ever wish you could just get your children to do their chores and behave? Lisa Machenberg, 56, of Malibu, California thinks hypnosis is the answer.
Machenberg, who is a mother of three, told the New York Post that she regularly has her children and husband under a hypnotic hold.
“If we learn hypno-parenting, we learn how to hypnotise our children to be cooperative, peaceful, have containment and have good study habits because they have focus and have more resilience out there in the world,” says Machenberg – who charges $125 per hour, the New York Post reports, and says she has hypnotized more than 1,000 kids in 23 years.
Why would she want to hypnotize her own children? To do things they should be doing already.
“I hypnotize my children and my husband to do things for my benefit all the time,” she says. “We have a household to run. Many times, I exert influence so my children are able to get their chores done, so this house runs efficiently.”
Her husband doesn’t mind being under her spell, but her children find it a little invasive.
“It could get a little crazy when she tries to hypnotize us at every single possible situation that she can,” says son Jake Ney, age 19. “It could get a little overbearing – she gets in your head.”
Readers and commenters have mixed reactions. However, some people think this is a good idea and perfectly acceptable.
“Children cannot be hypnotized unless they are willing. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and is very effective for peace, purpose, and positive change,” says one Facebook commenter.
As someone who has been hypnotized twice before, I don’t think I could try this, either as the parent or the child. It’s true that the one being hypnotized is willing and can come out of it any time with a little effort if they choose, but does that make it OK?
Those are reasons that people use hypnosis, such as quitting bad habits, like smoking or biting nails. But for taking out the trash? Or doing homework?
Probably not.
Parents generally might have to ask once or twice for kids to do their chores or homework, but that gives the child a choice. They can do it on their own or not do it and suffer consequences.
When put under, children do not make the choice. They are told to do something and do it – not because they should, but because their mother commands them to do so.
I believe there is a line. Using hypnosis to help your children with their issues could be beneficial. But using it to your own benefit is wrong and selfish.
What do you think of using hypnosis on kids to get them to do chores? Tell us in the comments below.
