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Lessons Learned from Children
What Have Your Kids Been Teaching You?
By Amy Dingmann
"Seeing people discipline in a mall drove me nuts," Dean says. "When I would see a parent trying to control an out-of-control child ... I said I would never have to do that. However, my time has come and I've definitely had to put mine in time-outs – or count very loudly at the mall!"
Stevenson says that most parents think they know a lot, and their children sometimes show them that they don't always have the right answers. "Didn't someone once say that kids grow up in spite of their parents?" she says.
There are a few things parents can control about their children, but not much. The older they get, the less actual control parents have. It is important to have rules and boundaries, but it doesn't mean a parent has any control over who their child is, their personality or their reaction to situations.
So how can you be in charge of your child if you can't actually control them?
"We are equal parts of inborn temperament and of attitudes and skills we've learned along the way," says Dr. Richards, who is also a father of two. "So often you can't know what is changeable until you try. Don't be afraid of setting limits; just recognize not everything you try will work. Be persistent, but not rigid. Don't forget the Serenty Prayer: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change what I can and the wisdom to know the difference."
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