Can you remember a time when you promised yourself that you would be different than your parents? You probably won’t need to search hard to identify a thing or two that sounded reminiscent of the “I will never” list you had about your own parents. One dad found the exercise a bit too easy. The hardest part was narrowing his list.
Top 10 Parenting Behaviors He Vowed He’d Avoid:
1. Nagging about unfinished homework.
This habit really should be easy to kick. With Progress Book, etc.—either finish your homework and get Bs or better or you lose your cell phone and internet access.
2. Getting angry because there are dirty dishes in the sink.
Really? Isn’t that what the sink is for, and isn’t the sink better than under the bed or in a dresser drawer?
3. Conducting a daily inspection for clothes on the floor.
Seriously, do I really need to comment about it every time?
4. Caring that my teenager sleeps late on a weekend.
Honestly, the more teenagers sleep, the less they have to complain about, the fewer clothes they need washed, and the less they eat.
5. Thinking there is something wrong with cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Cereal is underrated.
6. Being a little too soft about things that build character.
Every teenager should know how to cook a decent meal, hang a sheet of drywall, drive a stick shift car, cut the lawn, and clean the bathroom.
7. Not recognizing that a closed bedroom door means “Leave me alone.”
A closed door means more time for me to do what I need to do.
8. Not making vacations a priority.
What is more important than spending time planning and paying for cool ski/beach/travel vacations and having room for friends to come along?
9. Keeping the refrigerator stocked with healthy food.
Carrots, spinach, apples? How do you make a snack out of that?
10. Asking idiotic questions.
Like: “What did you do today in school?” “Who did you go out with last night?” “What did you do last night?” “Did you finish your homework?” “How did you do on the test?” “What happened to [insert any name]?” “Are you two still friends?” And, “What are you going to do for a job this summer?”
