"My parents don't understand what it's like to be my age."
“They just don’t get it!”
Sound familiar? At the Idaho Youth Ranch, we hear these phrases often. And the truth is, they’re true!
One of the most common mistakes parents make is attempting to maintain an aura of parental perfection, fearing that either kids will use mistakes against them later, or won’t respect their authority. It can be scary to be vulnerable and “human” in front of your kids by apologizing and admitting fault. But it’s also one of the most important ways you can form a healthy relationship based on mutual respect.
What kind of family did you imagine you would create when you were younger?
Chances are, if your childhood was a happy one you imagined that your family would look very similar. On the other hand, if your childhood was difficult or traumatic, you probably hoped that the family you created one day would be different.
Have you ever been angry with your child for acting exactly like you? Don't worry- you are not alone! Here are a few helpful hints about setting a good example for your child.
The words “fear” and “respect” go hand-in-hand in the minds of many parents. In fact, confusing these two concepts is the No. 1 mistake we see parents make at the Idaho Youth Ranch--which is why teaching parents the difference between fear-based and respect-centered parenting is one of the key ways we help rehabilitate families.
So what is the difference between fear and respect?
The parenting catchphrase “because I said so” is so ingrained in our culture it launched a feature film by the same name.
But what is this fallback phrase doing for kids? Unfortunately, not much. “Because I said so” is a fast, easy way to end a conversation, but as for teaching kids reasoning and decision-making skills, it leaves much to be desired.
Dealing with discipline is tough for parents. Are you being too strict? Are you being too lenient? Learning when to pick your battles is a skill every parent struggles with. Here are a few things we do at the Idaho Youth Ranch to change kids' behavior.