Have you ever thought about what our goals are as parents? What is it we really want to achieve?

Maybe we should start by stating what we believe what it is not.

Our goal as parents is not to just hit the minimum bar right? We aspire more for our children then a lifetime living on the government. When our children turn 18 we are not going to push them out the door and count ourselves grateful that we didn’t kill them before they became legal adults - right?

What is our goal? What is our mission? I think its to nurture them into happy little beings. It’s to teach them. Grow important skills like negotiating, compromise, following instructions, etc. It’s to help them become independent little beings that can survive on their own… and not only be happy, but recognize happiness.

How do we get there do you think? Does all that learning happen by osmosis? Do we just let life unfold and hope they “get it” like our parents hoped we would get it? Or are we going to strive to raise the bar our parents didn’t even have? To help them become well rounded little indviduals by helping them overcome their individual obstacles and exploit their strengths?

I think we should don’t you?

I know you are probably rolling your eyes right now. Cut it out ;) This is important.

So when the kids are arguing? When things are escalating? When you are sitting on your computer and you are engrossed in whatever it is you are doing? Yeah.. you know what I mean. Ignoring the yelling, the arguing, or avoiding it, or just hoping they will stop… or even yelling at them to stop… it isn’t really furthering our mission to raise happy and independent little beings. We need to teach them HOW to negotiate those issues… not just hope they figure it out. That’s our job. And just so you know — sometimes… I get weary having to be the only one who does this teaching. I don’t want to be curriculum director… I want us to do this together as a team.

So your parenting help is appreciated.

I love you, you big lug.

Related posts:

  1. Public Education isn’t a Get Out of Parenting Free Card
    2.    I started this as a post to a debate raging...
  2. Parenting Weary
    3.   I am parenting weary. Does that happen to...
  3. Bitch Fest: what mommies do that annoy me
    4.    Here's my top 10 things that other mom’s...