You lost sleep when your son had the measles; you cried every morning when you dropped your
daughter off at daycare. You gave of yourself to provide for your child through thick and thin, and
now she HATES YOU and does not want to see you anymore. Whhaat? Obviously she is a victim of the
Invasion of the Body Snatchers; yesterday she had pigtails and braces and today it’s Goth and crackle
nail polish. You are not alone.
The explanation for the phenomenon is complex. Your child rearing
style may be to blame. Are you more of a friend than a restrictive parent? Do texts and emails replace
your family face to face time? Has fast food replaced the interdependence of buying the groceries,
cooking the meal, setting the table, and washing the dishes? Do the children perform chores and play
an integral part of the family to develop confidence and independence: Does Xbox and video games
consume all quality time you spend with your children? Does your gym workout, Smartphone or
hoppy take you away from the family? All of these examples show that the family we knew in our own
childhood has been replaced with just a group of individuals living together.
When was the last time you took your children to the public library, walked on the beach shelling, had a picnic lunch in the backyard,
caught frogs, counted the stars in the night sky, taught them to do laundry, kissed them goodnight?
Bring yourself, as their parent, guardian and protector, back into their focus. You will discover the real
child you know and love wants to know and love you back. Lead by example; teach them how to be
loving and sharing people. That is parenting.