Lately, I’ve found myself in a few uncomfortable situations where I wasn’t sure how to proceed. In one instance, my child was struck in the head with a rock by a friend’s child. Should I intervene? I knew it was an accident and that the other kid felt remorseful, but I hesitated to speak up.
In another situation, I learned that a teenager, the child of a casual acquaintance, was engaging in risky and illegal activities. If this were my own child, I would want to know immediately. So, what’s the right approach? Should I stay silent or take action?
As parents, we often grapple with these dilemmas. Here’s my stance: if my child throws a rock and injures yours, I want you to inform me, regardless of the circumstances. If my child shows disrespect, I want to know. If I hear rumors about my kid using drugs, even if they seem unfounded, I want to be alerted.
If you suspect my child might be in a questionable situation, like sneaking into a party or lying to me, please reach out. If my kid is being a bully or simply acting like a jerk, I want to be made aware. If there’s any indication that my child is engaging in sexual activities, using inappropriate language, or associating with individuals who might be a bad influence, I need you to tell me.
And while we’re at it, if you notice any embarrassing issue with me—like a wardrobe malfunction or something in my teeth—please speak up. It’s the same principle. If you feel uncertain about whether to tell me something significant regarding my child, just remember: I’ve given you the green light. You can say something like, “Hey, remember when you mentioned wanting to be informed if your child was acting out? Well…”
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In summary, let’s keep the lines of communication open. I want to know if my child is stepping out of line—whether it’s big or small. It’s all about supporting one another as parents.