Parenting is tough, we face criticism and judgement all the time and we can handle it to some extent. Whether it be good or bad, we handle it. We can overcome, be the bigger person or whatever. But what really upsets me is when that criticism affects my kids. We all think teenagers are tough and resilient but they are not. They are still finding out who they are. They think they know everything but they do not, they need our guidance.
I had a situation recently when another teenage child upset mine, by calling him dumb and making fun of him because he can’t read properly. My son is Aspergers and has dyslexia. When I approached the mom, her reaction was basically boys will be boys and we must let them sort it out. She did this with a Stepford wife smile on her face! You know the type. The passive-aggressive, fake type, who smiles and says all the right things but her actions just do not match her words.
Needless to say, I was horrified, not only that my son wouldn’t get an apology but also that she just had no idea what parenting means. It means we have to teach our kids to be better humans. We have to guide them. We have to make them accountable for their actions. I’m not saying kids have to be perfect. I am saying when they fail or wrong someone that we have to be there as parents to teach them in the way they should go.
“Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. “
Pr 22:6
The Definition of Parenting according to Wikipedia:
A parent is there is rear them, nurture them, and raise them. Parents should be involved in their children’s lives. We are not there to be their friends although that does happen, we parent first. We set boundaries. We say No! If we leave them to their own devices we will have a Lord of the flies situation on our hands.
I have had other situations where one boy became very arrogant and started talking down to all the children in our group. Telling them all their clothes were not cool enough etc. When I approached his mom she refused to do anything about it. If that was my son I would want to know so I could help my son to be kinder towards those who may be less fortunate than him.
Parenting Tips
Hey moms! Here are some tips to not becoming a Stepford Wife Parent…
Be accountable
Be teachable
Stay humble
Say sorry
If we do not teach them, who will? The village? Hey I have seen the village and I don’t want it raising my child, that is my job. The village is full of Karen’s and Stepford Wives! They have no place telling us what to do and how to do it!
