by “I feel underappreciated.”
I’ve heard this statement and seen this post from more men than I can count.
A lot of men out there feel like a living, breathing wallet.
Their kids disrespect them and show attention only when they want something.
To a degree the behavior is normal; I put my parents through it.
At 16, once I got my license, the world was my oyster. I had freedom and only “needed” mom and dad when I was in trouble.
I saw the same thing in my boys.
As a dad, I had tough choices to make. On one hand, I wanted my sons to grow up having more than I did (which is normal). On the other hand, I wanted them to learn the value of hard work.
My wife and I never, not once, paid for a phone or phone bill for either of our boys. Yet they both had a phone since the age of 12 or so…
If you’re struggling with disrespectful kids, the first step is to understand who you are and what your role is as a father.
Kids need many things.
A bed to sleep in.
Food on the table.
A safe place to live.
They do NOT need the latest first-person shooter video game, or newest version of Apple iPhone.
They also need to learn the value of going without.
Saying “No” is a powerful teaching tool.
As they mature, they are going to get “No” a lot in life. Do you think it is better to hear it from you first, so you can teach them how to deal with it appropriately?
I do.
The pressure to be a perfect parent is immense and one of the best stress-reducers in your toolset should be the word “No” used strategically over the course of your child-rearing years.
