> It’s sobering to think that we as parents are responsible not only for a slice of someone’s life but for its entire trajectory.
I don't agree (but I'm not sober!). Your kids will make their own lives, and their own mistakes. Once they're past 12, there's not a lot you can do to shape that trajectory.
My kids were stroppy and rebellious. One became a sort of underground environmentalist, the other became a rather conservative schoolmarm (which to me was a rebellion). They chose to be rebellious; I wasn't responsible for that (except possibly through genetics). At the time, I'd have preferred for them to be compliant, because it would have been more convenient. Now, of course, I'm glad that both my kids turned out to be assertive, confident adults that think for themselves.
Oh yes - kids turn into adults in about 15 years. By the time they're 20, they've either gone or they want to go. Raising kids will only ever be a small part of your life. Even if you find it hard, it's not a life-sentence.
I don't agree (but I'm not sober!). Your kids will make their own lives, and their own mistakes. Once they're past 12, there's not a lot you can do to shape that trajectory.
My kids were stroppy and rebellious. One became a sort of underground environmentalist, the other became a rather conservative schoolmarm (which to me was a rebellion). They chose to be rebellious; I wasn't responsible for that (except possibly through genetics). At the time, I'd have preferred for them to be compliant, because it would have been more convenient. Now, of course, I'm glad that both my kids turned out to be assertive, confident adults that think for themselves.
Oh yes - kids turn into adults in about 15 years. By the time they're 20, they've either gone or they want to go. Raising kids will only ever be a small part of your life. Even if you find it hard, it's not a life-sentence.