Okay, we all read the book when we were blissfully expecting our bundle of joy that eased our anxiety, gave helpful tips, and coached us through the process. But where's the how-to book that explains what to expect when you've got these little bundles of joy crawling, walking, or even driving circles around you?
One of the most common mistakes I see parents make revolves around the expectations they have for their kids no matter the age. If you expect your two-year old to sit quietly through dinner at a restaurant, not gonna happen. You're obviously expecting too much. If you expect your teen to grasp the concept and appreciate all that you have sacrificed for them as a parent, again not gonna happen until they themselves grow up, live, and learn. Both are examples where parents have set themselves and their children up for failure because their expectations are not realistic for the average kid. Children feel confused or lost and parents tend to feel angry or disappointed.
Having said that, pushing your children to do and be their best is vital, but when you continue to create these unachievable expectations no one wins or succeeds. Enjoy your bundles of joy. When he's using his spaghetti to make silly faces for the other patrons and cries when you scold him, chalk it up to creativity and building his personality. When your teen slams her door, refuses to talk, and cannot fathom why you don't have the time or resources to buy her a new dance dress, know that with time the appreciation and understanding will surface.
Eventually they will grow, mature, and meet all those expectations, but in the meantime enjoy the adventure and learn what to realistically expect when you're way past expecting.
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