During the summer months, kids just need to veg and hang out. Wouldn’t you if you were a kid?
Remember we lost the summer of 2020 due to quarantine and other protective measures. Kids are making up for lost time. However, once an individual of any age makes a commitment, they will go through certain thresholds. While we wish we could love our commitments in the middle, the way we did when we started, life would be easier, and I would not be writing this blog.
There is a difference between quitting and stopping. Stopping means that we are a bit tired. If you ask mom and dad, they probably have days where they feel like stopping as well…going to work, doing chores in the house, or feeding the kids. Well, they don’t. Why? The reasons are obvious. They are parents and their commitment to their kids is law.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a reverse relationship when it comes to commitment? Well, there is, we just need to educate our children on the merits.
When your child wishes to “QUIT” sit down with them, let them know how much you love them and educate, educate and educate. Let them know that there is a difference between quitting and stopping. Stopping an activity means that you need a boost of energy in order to follow through. For instance, in the karate program, there are students that get close to Black Belt and fear paralyzes them from following through. Sometimes it is hard to follow through on self-expectations.
Suggestion…let them know how close they are to achieving a lifelong goal. Create a plan to follow through to Black Belt then if they wish to stop at least they did not become a quitter. What I am saying is once you quit something you are labeled as a quitter and that stays with you for the rest of your life. Once you quit something for the first time there is an inner voice that says, “you did it once and it will be easier the next time!”
Lastly, the following is a phrase that I thought I would never hear again from parents, “I give up!” REALLY? How can anyone ever give up on their child? You might disagree with their behaviors and even get annoyed at some of those behaviors. How can you ever give up? Please, please, please get rid of that sentence and replace it with, “I love you. Let’s get through this together!” THAT IS PARENTING!