March 4, 2023
“What did you just do?”
“What were you thinking?”
“Why would you make that choice?”
“Are you serious?”
No. Absolutely not.
You must resist the urge to respond with anger or frustration when your child makes a poor decision. Every fiber of your being might scream to unleash your disappointment, but it’s crucial to transform their mistake into an opportunity for growth. That is your role as a parent, and if you miss this chance to teach both them and yourself, you may find yourself making a significant error as well.
So, what will I tell my child after they’ve made a poor choice?
- Likely things I shouldn’t say.
- Likely things I might regret.
- Definitely things that could lead to guilt.
- But ideally, none of that.
With the understanding that this moment will arise, I’ve prepared a thoughtful response that I hope to remember when the time comes.