When I recently asked 3,000 parents what they would change if
they could start over again in their parenting, the number one response
was, "I'd be more consistent."
I suppose these parents now realize that their inconsistency led their teen and their family to a place they really didn't want to go. Whether rooted in misplaced love, or from being distracted by the hustle and bustle of life, or by not wanting to be the "bad guy" all the time, they made a habit of giving in, and now they are sorry for it.
Based on my work with teenagers, I'd have to say those parents are
justified in their remorse because I see a lot of kids today all mixed
up by inconsistent parents. Teens left to themselves will naturally get
into trouble. That's the nature of adolescence. The path they'll go down
is the one of least resistance or the greatest pleasure. And that's why
they need structure -- but it needs to be consistent to make any sense
to them. Most teens thrive when clear and unmovable boundaries are in
place, because it's the one anchor in their otherwise turbulent life.
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Source: Christian Post | Better Parenting, Better Families | Mark Gregston
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