What if we could improve our parenting disposition?
Not necessarily our outcomes, just our attitude in the midst of it all.
I find this all easier when I first differentiate between what is important and what’s not.
And then do you know what I do?
I often give the kids free reign over the latter.
Understand: Apathy is sometimes good for your sanity.
When I finally learned to turn over to the children the responsibilities that rightfully belonged to them, everyone’s disposition improved. Here’s what helped me: Whenever I’d feel myself starting to get agitated or involved, I’d ask myself, “Do I have any choice here? . . . Must I take over? . . . Or can I put the children in charge instead?”
-Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (Amazon)
