Parents. Serious conversation. 

We need to get clear about the responsibility of parenting. 

If I hear another parent pathologize their 4 year old’s personality and difficult behavior(s) I’m going to loose it. 

I get it. Kids aren’t socialized. 

They bite, and hit, and steal, and are defiant about it. 

These little miracles that we love more than anything are also at times quite awful.

They trigger the living hell out of us.

We get so angry at them. Yes we do. 

I realized a long time ago the moment I get super angry with my child, is the exact moment I need to teach them. 

They don’t understand the basic things that most people do and take for granted. How infuriating. 🤨

WE HAVE TO TEACH THEM EVERYTHING.

DON’T LET THEM TURN IN TO SOMEONE YOU DON’T LIKE. 

Flinging yogurt around the kitchen. 

Ok, not cool, does the 2 year old know that??

No, 2 year old just being a 2 year old. Dad, you’re up. 

“Rosey. We don’t fling yogurt sweetheart. It makes a big mess and wastes the food. Can you please help dad clean up?” 

TEACH THEM. REPEAT. 

If they are defiant, show them you are serious through whatever discipline feels right. Timeouts are good, show them you are in charge and mean business. Learn how they learn, they look up to you. Use the parent child hierarchy. It’s there for a good reason. 

They don’t understand anything but their impulses. 

RESPONSIBILITY TO TEACH THEM THESE BASIC SOCAL SKILLS IS COMPLETELY ON US PARENTS. 

DO NOT BLAME YOUR KIDS. 

THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THIS WAY. 

I hate to say this but there is an epidemic of lazy, blameful parents out there. Unbelievable.

Splintering off, blaming, outsourcing, or just ignoring the challenges your child brings in to the world is one of the most half-hearted, awful, and tragic things I can think of. 

If this is at all you, please turn it around. 

You are the parent. 

No one else really has a right to tell your kid what’s right and wrong, because of that there’s an urgency that you step up to the plate and parent well. 

That means moving towards the difficult behaviors your kid is dishing out, and being clear about how to correct it. 

“We don’t yell, we use an inside voice unless there is an emergency.”

“We don’t hit, we use our words and respect other’s body’s.”

“We don’t steal, we take turns and share.”

“We don’t leave a mess, we clean up.”

Repeat.

The patience required to repeat these lessons, and talk to our children in a calm matter is no small feat, but it’s required.

This is the job of a parent. 

We are responsible for teaching them everything. It’s pretty serious work.

Please step up and do it.