I had just finished laying out how we were going to handle grades for next quarter…the incentives and consequences that I thought I’d try.
“I’m not going to participate in that,” my daughter said. She didn’t say it unkindly; she just didn’t agree with me.
I see this daughter of mine – the girl who is now taller than me, who can drive, who can go on dates, who can decide to go on mission trips – and a part of me forgets for a split second that though she’s my equal as far as we’re both human and we’re both creations of God, she is not my equal in role in this family. And I almost let it go.
But I don’t. Because though the time is ticking away and though in what will feel like just moments, I’m sure of it, she’ll be moving out on her own, she is still my daughter. And I am still the mother.
So today, no matter the ages of your children, if you are feeling steamrolled by your child, or disrespected, or unappreciated, or like you’re more friends than parent/child, I want you to be honest with yourself. Do a little heart check and ask yourself these questions.
How did we get to this place? What small choices have I been making that have led us to the point where my child thinks he/she doesn’t have to do what I say?
Why are we here? What’s going on inside that has brought me to letting things like this slide? (Fear of rejection, fear of being disobeyed, fear of being laughed at, something else entirely?)
And what can I do, starting today, to make a course correction?
I didn’t let this go. I told her that it’s fine if she forgoes the incentives but that as her mother, I have the right to enforce the consequences, whether she likes it or not. She was not pleased with me, but then again, she doesn’t have to be.
I’m here, in this role, for a reason. I see much farther down the road than she does. I know what no rules and no boundaries and no consequences could lead to and I want to spare her some things, some pain. (By the way, she came around, and even apologized, shortly after.)
If this post helped you, “Moving On as a Christian Single Mom” is for you, found here.
I’ll take five minutes of her being upset with for a lifetime of knowing I did what’s right any day. Wouldn’t you?
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. –Proverbs 22:6-
Great post. I have been struggling with this too. I feel like more of a friend to my kids than their mom sometime, especially now that I have teen girls who are generally respectful and well behaved. It doesn’t help that I need to be their ally as we live with my parents.
I really needed this today. I have a 12 year old boy whot thinks he is 18. some days it seems so easy to just let some things go. But you are right the parent is the parent and has the responsibility to train the child. I need constant reminding of this!!!! thank you.
On the flip side, you may think your child isn’t getting the message you’re trying to teach, that everything falls on deaf ears – then you hear what a good and careful driver he is from one of his friends. Or how he was one of the few teens who offered to help the parents clear up after a group of teens met at a friend’s house. Our children do take in the lessons we try to teach them, take heart and don’t give up.
Great post, Beth. It’s easy as single Daddy to also let things slide, to not be to hard on them because of the “situation” and “they’ve been through enough”. As you’ve wisely reminded us (and demonstrated), real love is willing to step up and be the parent, knowing those short term costs have long-term benefits. Thanks and way to go!
Leona, thanks for commenting. I agree, it can be kinda tricky to remember when our kids are well behaved as ours are. We just need to be more mindful.
You’re welcome, Lorraine. Thanks for stopping by!
Anonymous, I totally love it when we see them in action being kind or respectful and we can know that it’s sinking in!
Paul, thanks for the kind words!
You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.