As I prepare to visit my daughter in Portland, I find it hard to grasp that she has graduated college and is now embarking on her own journey in the world. Reflecting on our past, I feel a wave of nostalgia as I think about her childhood and how swiftly the years have flown by. How did she reach 22 so quickly?
In this moment of reflection, I recalled a pivotal experience that stands out as one of my proudest moments as a parent, and it brought a sense of clarity amidst my emotions. My daughter, Lily, was in elementary school, likely around first or second grade. One evening, while cleaning up after dinner, she couldn’t stop giggling about the word “Shih Tzu.” She found it amusing that she could say it as a cheeky substitute for a more inappropriate term.
After countless repetitions of “Shih Tzu” in our conversation, I finally reached my limit.
Me: “That was funny at first, but let’s stop now, okay?”
Lily: “Stop what? Stop saying ‘Shih Tzu’?”
Me: “Lily… enough.”
Lily: “You want me to stop saying ‘Shih Tzu’?”
Me: “Yes. No more.”
Lily: “No more saying ‘Shih Tzu’?”
Me: “If you say it one more time, you’re going to bed at 8:30.”
My older son, Jake, who was two years her senior, began to pay attention, sensing the tension in the room.
Lily: (laughing) “You’re not really going to make me go to bed at 8:30.”
Jake’s eyes widened as the atmosphere thickened.
Me: “Yes, I am, Lily. Don’t test me.”
In that moment, I felt the weight of my parenting history. I had often threatened consequences without ever following through. My children were aware that their devices were safe, their favorite shows were untouchable, and they wouldn’t miss out on social outings. I had always shied away from being the tough parent.
Lily: “You mean don’t test you by saying ‘Shih Tzu’ again?”
Time seemed to freeze. Lily was practically dancing, Jake was observing intently, and I felt a bead of sweat forming. I realized that neither of my kids believed I would enforce my threat. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I believed it either.
In that brief moment of introspection, I noticed Jake subtly nodding his head.
Me: “Lily, you’re going to bed at 8:30.”
Lily: “You don’t mean it. I won’t say it again.”
Me: “I do mean it. I’ve given you several warnings, and you chose to ignore them.”
Lily: “I promise. I won’t say it again.”
Me: “Great. Begin your bedtime routine. It’s almost 8:30.”
Lily: (bursting into tears and fleeing the room) “I can’t believe you’re making me go to bed at 8:30!”
I glanced at Jake, who was beaming. “Good job, Mom,” he said. “I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”
It was a surprising lesson for me, taught by my nine-year-old. That night, we all learned a significant lesson—most importantly, I learned to follow through on my word. This experience helped me become a more consistent parent, and my children began to take my threats seriously.
Ironically, Lily is now working in canine obedience training, emphasizing the importance of consistency and follow-through in her job. When I visit her and she shares insights from her work, she’ll undoubtedly stress the significance of these lessons we learned together.
In summary, this experience not only solidified my parenting approach but also reinforced the idea that actions have consequences. The lesson resonates in various aspects of life, including the journey of parenthood.
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Keyphrase: Importance of Follow-Through in Parenting
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