A close lifelong friend of mine is always worried when her children are with my husband and I. She is always concerned that we will tell her kids about her wild younger days. She feels that if they know her mistakes she will lose some of her credibility when her children are perhaps making similar mistakes.
I beg to differ. I think it is very important to let your children know about your past mistakes and regrets and to even initiate those conversations. No subject is taboo. Talk about drugs, alcohol, school issues such as skipping class and even driving infractions and trouble with the law.
There are lots of reasons to be honest. If your children know that you have made similar mistakes they will take your advise more seriously. You will actually look more credible, because they will actually believe you when you say "I know exactly how you are feeling right now".
If your children know your past mistakes it will even make them feel more comfortable coming to you when they have similar issues. They will know that you won't be judgmental and you will understand what they are going through. It will open up the lines of communication which is extremely important when raising teenagers.
So start telling those wild stories and you will soon see the conversation flowing, your teenager will respect you and accept your advise because they know that you have been there and that you trust them with your past. An important lesson for everyone.
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