It is no secret that parenting is hard work. It is a huge responsibility to take a helpless infant and prepare them to be a functioning member of society. But it does not need to be the hardest thing you have done or will ever do in your life. While there will be difficult stages and problems that catch you off-guard, the overall experience can be relatively relaxed and joyful.
What is the key to a relaxed child-rearing experience?
Boundaries.
Now, let me clarify. Setting boundaries is not easy. Enforcing them is even more difficult, especially when your kids push back (and they will!). But doing so will pave the way for calm seas ahead.
When parents say what they mean and mean what they say, remaining consistent and refusing to bend when their kids test their resolve, kids learn to live comfortably within that framework. They learn to respect boundaries. They learn the art of self-discipline and eventually, stop testing the waters.
At that point, the parents' job gets exponentially easier. They don't have to deal with the same problems over and over, day in and day out. Challenges will still arise because that is called life. But difficulties become a small part of the child-rearing experience rather than the substance of it.
Listen in for all the details.
Find show notes here.
If you enjoy the podcast, I think you will also enjoy my free audio training: 3 Parenting Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make (and What to do Instead). Uplevel your parenting in a hurry by signing up today.
Join the waitlist for my upcoming online course: Aim for the Launch: How to Turn Kids into Responsible Adults
Follow on Instagram
Follow on Facebook
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.