The art of raising children comes with its blessings and its disappointments. As a child the pain you feel in disappointing your parents, does not compare with the disappointment you feel as a parent. The thought of my child knows better than that, you take on the feeling of failure. The responsibility you carry as a parent for your children’s actions is a heavy weight.
One of the many lessons you teach is guilt by association. A child asks, “why am I responsible for the actions of others just because I’m with them,” it doesn’t make sense to pay for an act you didn’t do. It seems like a lot to take on the actions of another. What if you protested with words of “this is not a good idea,” or “I don’t want you to do this” but you remain in their presence and don’t let someone who should know that this act was committed. You still carry the guilt of the actions, the risk of losing a friend by telling someone in charge or being made fun of being a “baby”, these are the deciding factors when trying to figure out what to do. What a lesson to be learned and to teach.
There is no one better than a parent who loves their child/children unconditionally, but through consequences enforce the lesson learned. This is deep love.
Parents take heart, you have one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs. Love your children and teach them by example, discipline, and forgiveness.
Not only are they learning, so are you!
Grandma Lynn
“Packer and Stacker”