By Dr James Dobson
Coping with strong-willed children is difficult, but some parents find that the hardest part is dealing with their own doubt.
It is not unusual for parents of strong-willed children to struggle with feelings of guilt and self-doubt over the constant tug-of-war in their homes. Unfortunately, too many parents have been told by “experts” that managing children should be a piece of cake for those who do it right. That leaves them with intense self-condemnation when things do not work out so smoothly.
But the difference between life as it is and life as it ought to be becomes a distressing bit of reality. If you are facing this kind of tension in your life, then let me give you three assurances. Firstly, it is not entirely your fault. Secondly, it will not always be so difficult. And lastly, you are probably doing a much better job than you think.
Statistics show that most strong-willed children later become tenacious, respectable, hard-working adults, who cannot believe some of the things they used to do. You may even see the day when your formerly defiant offspring comes to you for advice, worn out from the tug-of-war with his or her very own strong-willed child. That is the ultimate satisfaction for the conscientious parent who struggled through the rebellious years.
From TODAY, Voices
Wednesday, 01-April-2009
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