Mar 25 2024 33 mins 1
We live in a culture of excess. We have more stuff now than ever. More clothes, more food, more comforts, and more parenting. Yes, even more parenting. In this age when our kids seem to have it all, they also have way more parenting hovering over them. As we have indulged our kids with stuff, we also have found ourselves indulging in way too many aspects of their lives.
Total lack of parental involvement definitely is not a good thing in today's world. But, governing the details of their lives is also potentially harmful. What's going on? Do we not trust that our kids will ultimately make decisions that lead to their growth even if the decisions may cost them something? Are we trying to protect them from every little challenge or setback?
We have to ask ourselves, 'why do we feel the need to be so protective especially when our kids have more opportunity and options than most of us had as teens? Could the answer be FEAR. Are we afraid that we might look bad as parents if our kids struggle or even get into trouble? Are we handicapping them by providing in excess to the point that they have little to strive for?
There is a reason that we have more young adults continuing to live at home rather than moving out on their own. There are fewer teens getting their drivers license when they are legally eligible. What's up with this?
The other side of this problem is the amount of fatigue we are feeling as parents. We are so busy managing what seems like every little detail of their lives that we are finding ourselves owning their problems and chasing our tails to figure out the problems. Merrill even coined a phrase called Parenting Fatigue Syndrome, PFS. Parents find themselves exhausted while the kids find themselves comfortably tucked away in the basement playing video games and entertaining themselves on social media.
It's time to serve our kids better. We must equip them to go out into the world. Resourcefulness, hard work, responsibility, and natural consequences are just the start to building the strength back into our teens and young adults. Placing firm boundaries on how much you will carry their load is a must. No reason to feel guilty when you see your kids sweating from the load they are carrying. Rather, be thankful that you are equipping them for something greater.
Check out this show and tell us what you think. What has worked for you and your family?
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