Just Say No

Just Say No

Of course, parents all love our children, but who doesn’t chuckle after reading today’s quote? Perhaps we have all secretly begrudged the behavior of our kids, whether they’re five years old, fifteen years old, or even fifty! We try so hard to teach them the lessons our parents tried to teach us, and then we’re actually surprised when they toss out all our advice and decide to make their own mistakes (just like we did?).

Sometimes our love for our children drives us to blindly support or overprotect them. And sometimes we are driven to give them so much that we have little (time, money, energy) left for ourselves. Sometimes the best answer for your child (and yourself) is “No.”

They may not like this answer, and it may be even more difficult for you than for them. How can any loving and reasonable parent refuse their son’s or daughter’s request for help or entertainment or permission to go somewhere considered unsafe? Because sometimes the hardest lessons have to be learned by a parent putting their foot down and not budging. Tough love? Absolutely.

Where do we draw the line for satisfying their needs and wants? Of course, that answer will vary from parent to parent, child to child, situation to situation. There will come a time when we have to say “No,” in order for our children to take responsibility for their actions that will help them grow into strong and independent adults. Just like us, right?