Are parents different today then they were in the past? Do parents today have a more difficult time saying “No” to their children? Data demonstrates that the answer to both questions is yes. Why are parents wimpier today than in the past? Recent studies suggest that more parents today want to be friends with their children. And, unfortunately, they associate saying ”Yes” to their children with being friends with their children. Interestingly, however, this strategy has backfired on parents. Studies have shown that wimpy parents are not respected by their children and that those children do not want to be friends with their parents. In these studies, parents who were respected by their adult children are the ones who were strong and who were not afraid to use the word “No.” One recent study found that children raised by wimpy parents did not want to be like their wimpy parents and indicated that they would not have the same parenting style as their parents. Studies also indicated that students have more respect for teachers who have higher expectations than wimpy teachers with low expectations. Parents need to understand that their goal in life is not to be their child’s friend, but to be a strong parent. This is the greatest gift we can give our children. Children will have dozens of friends in life, but only a couple of parents. Don’t let them down. Be strong and not a wimp.
Thought of the day
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