It’s hard when your children, whom you love and would do anything for, tell you you’re mean or, worse, they hate you. Sometimes, though, you could consider it a sign you’re doing something right.
Family picture from Shutterstock
Of course, we’re not talking real meanness here, but the kind of stick-to-it firmness parents need to raise responsible, independent kids. FamilyShare’s Megan Wallgren outlines 12 things “mean” things mums (and dads) have to do to avoid raising kids who are “spoiled rotten”. Most of them have to do with simply letting children experience difficulty or failure . I found the “don’t pull strings” advice particularly worth pointing out:
Some kids get a rude awakening when they get a job and realise that the rules actually do apply to them. They have to come on time and do what the boss wants. And, (gasp!) part of the job they don’t even like. If you don’t like your child’s teacher, science partner, position on the soccer field or placement of the bus stop, avoid the temptation to make a stink or pull strings until he gets his preference. You are robbing your child of the chance to make the best of a difficult situation. Dealing with less than ideal circumstance is something she will have to do most of her adult life. If children never learn to handle it, you’re setting them up for failure.
Reading the whole list, you might not think all or any of those parenting necessities are mean, but your kid might. And that’s OK.
12 Ways to Be the Meanest Mum in the World [FamilyShare]
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