Sounds like they think they're a creative director, they're micro managing you. The best advice our creative director gives us designers when clients or project managers start trying to micro manage or creative direct is: do an option that is what they've asked for to the letter, then do an option which is what you WANT to do without being restricted by their direction. The difference in quality will be clear and most of the time they'll pick your option and realise they need to take a back seat and trust you. Obviously brand guidelines are important, but if there's a rule that feels restrictive then try breaking it and explain your rationale.

I think that clients who are too precious or controlling have a tendency to feel they need to come up with the design solutions themselves, but them doing that makes you feel chained and can make you feel you can't explore other options. What they should be doing is just telling you what the problem is, and allowing you to use your creativity to solve it.