Parental Authority

      While I have many interests and talents I don’t feel I have much authority on any of them. The one thing I do have authority over is my kids. I have to set the rules and raise them to be members of society. I hope to raise them to be men who are respectful, kind, generous, caring and wear their hearts on their sleeves. But being the authority for my kids doesn’t only mean for how they need to behave and act, it also includes how the people in their lives do and don’t treat them. When I tell someone who is babysitting them how to handle my kids, whether that be discipline, bath time, or just what foods they can eat, I expect them to respect the rules that I have put in place for my children. This is why it is so important to respect parents when you see them setting boundaries with their kids, or disciplined their children. Obviously there are cases where things go too far and that should be brought to someones attention. But, it doesn’t help parents who are having a rough day with their small child to be dealing with glares and looks in the grocery store when all they want is to get through shopping and hopefully calm their child down.

        If parents can be respectful to each other and be kind we can all work together to raise children who are also respectful and kind. We need more of that in this world and so under my authority I will strive to do that for my children.