This is a three-part series so be sure to read all the parts or you will not get the full message.
Most people think parents are fully responsible for how their children turn out because parents raise children … children learn from their parents … so parents make their children. Right?
Wrong!
Wait! … What? What about the parents who do really bad things to their kids; Who hurt their kids or treat them so badly that their kids grow up with messed up personalities? Shouldn’t those parents be held responsible? Yes, they should; but I’m not talking about those kinds of parents. I’m talking about regular moms and dads who aren’t perfect but who love their kids and try their best to be good parents.
The truth is that kids affect how their parents raise them. Children are not just sitting around doing and being nothing. Their personality, energy, and even struggles can change how their parents behave. Have you ever seen a calm parent trying to gently talk to a loud, wild four-year-old—and then suddenly yelling after trying so hard to stay patient? Or, if you are a parent, have you ever wondered why one child is much harder to raise than their brother or sister? That’s because each child is different, and those differences matter. Your child is shaping you —maybe not as much as you’re shaping them, but it still counts.
So, if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed thinking about how your child is going to turn out, remember: you’re not going to completely mess up your child all by yourself. Take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and do your best.
Read Parts II and III to learn more.
I fully agree with the analysis and discussions. Children can indeed change parents. I’ve seen parents who are depressed because of behavior of their child.