So what do you do that makes you so different from any other parent? If you found out a child of yours (under 18) was doing drugs, having sex or whatever, what will you think that you could have done better? Will you believe it is your fault? Because believe me, no matter how good a parent you are some kids will still go against how they were raised. When a kid is 15 he/she knows right from wrong, if they want to be stupid they will be. And from what I have learned about you here I bet you are a great parent, but that doesn't make your kids immune from the stupids.
Again I will use myself as an example
, I remember I was grounded once and I still went out. When I got home I was asked "must be nice to go out when you are grounded" my reply "Isn't it though" and off I went to my room. I went to concerts I wasn't supposed to, one my mother showed up looking for me and dragged me home (how embarrassing!) that still did not stop me from doing it again. I snuck out windows, did lots of other stuff. Ok, maybe they could have sent me to boarding school but chances are I would of just left. Shortly after I was 17, I moved out. Looking back I know what a shit I was, and don't know what they could of done differently. I can't blame them. You can only blame the parents when they don't try. Sorry, parents are people too, not gods.
So what do you do that makes you so different from any other parent?
I am probably not that different than your average parent.
Of course there are no guarantees in parenting but for the most part I think what makes my parenting method a tad bit more productive than my parent’s methods is they ruled by instilling fear, using the extension cord and keeping their kids in the dark when they should have been talking to them.
I do know that many parent make themselves to be these super humans to their kids, like the have never done anything wrong and that's very difficult for a kid to live up to. (At least that is what happened during my childhood)
I swore that I would never raise my kids the same way I grew up so I invoked the following:
Open Communication:I have always made myself available for my kids to communicate with me about anything. (They know they can tell me
anything and they do)
Example: My youngest daughter was at a sleepover some time ago and she knows that she should not watch certain types of movies at her age (11) well the other girls at the sleep over wanted to watch the movie "Heartbreakers" so she called me and asked should she watch this movie (Awesome I thought) we discussed what the movie was about and looked at the rating and decided maybe it was not a good film for her to see just yet. She then asked her friend if they could watch a movie that was not PG-13 of course that met with resistance so she went into another room and read a book until the movie was over.
To make a long story short I believe she made the decision she made because she trusts what her dad taught her and I believe this only because I never told her she could not do certain things but I taught her what is appropriate for certain times and occasions and I explained the reasons why not, not just some "Because I said so" crap the way my parents did with me.
I tell my kids about my childhood and some of the stupid things I did when I was a kid (Funny stories to tell out by the fire pit roasting marshmallows)
I have had better success talking with my kids when they have made terrible mistakes than punishing them. We discuss how the mistake could have been avoided from their perspective and so on.
Transparency:I have always shown them that I have faults as well even as an adult and that we all make mistakes throughout life.
I have always taught them to learn from their mistakes and others mistakes and to be mindful not to repeat those mistakes (if possible).
Teachable moments:I don’t overact when they make a mistake or deliberated disobey. We discuss the mishap or the offense and resolve the issue through teaching the correct way. This is not to say that there are not consequences but I use other methods such as writing an essay or some sort of community service, you get the gist.
Showing Affection:I talk with my kids and I tell my kids everyday that I love them and I show affection, I hug my kids everyday before I leave for work. I never got that from my parents and I see the difference it has made in our relationship even my big strapping 16 yr old manboy we hug daily and say we love each other.
In short my kids trust me and they cherish that I trust them back so they really don’t want to do anything that would damage the circle of trust we have. Besides they know I buy cars for them after their 17th bday lol
I could go on but I think I answered your question
HM