I never intended to become a strict parent. My goal was to embody the calm, serene mother who never raised her voice and had infinite patience. I understood that I might never fully achieve that ideal, but it was a lofty goal I aspired to reach.
As my children transitioned into toddlers, I genuinely attempted to be the most understanding version of myself. I listened carefully to their elaborate excuses for why they left their toys scattered around or why they thought dessert should come before dinner. Even when they deemed my well-planned tacos “disgusting,” I maintained my composure. I allowed them to snuggle next to me at bedtime, provided they made an effort to fall asleep on their own.
I thought I was doing everything right. I wanted them to feel valued and respected, knowing they were deserving of kindness. I believed treating them with decency was a fundamental aspect of parenting, not a special privilege. Little did I know, this approach would come back to haunt me.
One day, my daughter decided it was acceptable to berate me for denying her access to YouTube videos on the tablet. At that moment, I realized that my efforts to be the “nice mom” had inadvertently turned my kids into entitled little tyrants with scant respect for authority. That realization was a stark wake-up call.
From that point forward, I stopped entertaining their flimsy excuses for not doing chores. No more gentle reminders—they faced real consequences for their actions. For instance, if they splashed water out of the bathtub, instead of calmly explaining why that was inappropriate, they found themselves heading to bed early. How do you like them apples?
Privileges were revoked, toys were confiscated, and screen time was limited on repeat occasions. I had officially embraced my inner strict mom.
I never wanted to be the disciplinarian who handed out punishments like candy at a fair. However, I felt it was essential to curb the behavior of my children, who had begun to disregard my authority. The constant arguing and entitlement had to stop, or they risked becoming the kids on the playground that no one wanted to play with. I faced a choice: either raise children who lacked friends or children who respected the rules.
Acknowledging that I had been too lenient was tough. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I needed to admit that my overly patient approach might not have been what was best for our family. It’s never easy to accept that you’ve made mistakes, and becoming a firmer parent was no walk in the park. But the hardest part was realizing I wasn’t equipping my kids for the world outside our home.
I made the conscious decision to alter my behavior to inspire a change in theirs. We are all navigating this new chapter together. I am becoming more assertive, and my children are learning to respect me, our home, and their responsibilities. They now understand the seriousness of their actions and the consequences that follow. Although I know there will be times when they don’t appreciate my decisions, their morning hugs remind me that our bond is strong, and I must be on the right track.
For more insights on parenting and family dynamics, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination, as well as our other blog posts on boosting fertility supplements. Sustainable parenting practices are crucial for raising well-rounded children, and you can find additional information on that topic here.
Summary
This article recounts the journey of a mother who initially aimed to be an understanding and patient parent but realized her approach was leading her children to become entitled. She made a conscious decision to enforce rules and consequences, transforming into what she calls a “tough love” mom. This shift not only fostered respect in her children but also reinforced the importance of healthy boundaries in parenting.