Grace

Saturday, August 24, 2024

I’d originally planned to share a different message in today’s podcast, and then it happened… again. My teenager informed me what a terrible parent I am. No, those aren’t the words she used, but that was the message her words and look conveyed. I was the villain in her story, and even though it pangs my heart, I’m okay with that. This isn’t the first time and it most likely won’t be the last time either. 

The truth is, if you’re doing your job as a parent, your children are going to hate you somedays. They’re going to think that you’re no fun at all. Because being a parent isn’t always fun. Sometimes it’s boring and responsible. They’re going to feel like you’re taking sides… no matter how fair you try to be. Because when you have two or more children, and they want different things what pleases one won’t please the other and being the mediator will require finding compromise, which certainly won’t please anyone... at least not really. 

There are definitely times when I miss the days when all the problems in their little world could be fixed with a hug and a kiss from me. 

Days filled with paper medals proclaiming that I was the best mom ever. But I love watching them grow into the people they are. I don’t believe our children come as blank slates. I think sometimes we want to believe that… so we can mold them into who we always wanted to be… but that’s not our job. Our job is just to help them navigate the world in a way in which they can thrive and grow into their full potential - the full potential of who they already are. Sometimes that means being the villain in their story. Today I was the villain in hers. And I’m okay with that.

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