The Beauty of Slack Parenting
The Beauty of Slack Parenting
The Beauty of Slack Parenting
It can be so much easier to be a slack parent than it is to be a good parent. Just as it can be so much easier to give in than it is to tow the line. My kids seem to know the perfect time and place to test my patience, and it's almost always in public. I always wonder whether my reaction would be different at home, in private, than it is at Target right smack in the middle of a herd of people. I can almost see the wheels turning in their little heads as they plan their attack strategy. As was the case this weekend when my 3 year old son decided to put his plan into action causing my blood to boil above any normal human temperature. When he stood straight up in the cart screaming at the top of his lungs trying to hurl himself out because I wouldn't buy him the toy he wanted I calmly informed him that he would not be allowed to have a pack of mints at the check out counter unless he settled down. This only caused him to scream louder and kick harder ensuring ALL eyes were on us as we quickly cruised toward the express lane. As he spotted the mints he obviously wasn't getting he tried to jump out of the cart like a kamakazi pilot and onto the conveyor belt to grab a pack. Now imagine this. I had my four month old in the pack strapped on the front of me with my 4 and 6 year olds in tow as I tried to restrain the 3 year old while remaining calm as the elder lady in front of us slowly counted out her change. Can you say frustrating? By the end of it all I was shaking and sweating as we made a beeline for the car. In the end I "won" knowing as hard as it was I had done what was best for my son. As Moms we are faced with difficult situations almost daily and sometimes hourly. It's up to us to raise responsible well rounded individuals and even the little decisions we make matter. At the time it may seem easier to give in telling yourself next time you'll tow the line, but what message are you sending them? Try to keep your reactions consistent, whether at home or in public so they'll know what to expect when they challenge you. It would have been so much easier to let my 3 year old have the pack of mints and keep the peace, but so much harder in the long run. If I gave in and took the easy road every time I would ultimately end up with 7 incredibly spoiled kids who would run over me anytime they pleased. Parenting is tough. Good parenting can give you gray hair, but in the end your kids will shine!
For more great tips and tricks focused on helping you as a Mom check out my site at www.moremomtime.com" to sign up for my free 5 day series, "Happy Mom Equals Happy Kids".
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