Member-only story
I Made This One Small Parenting Move
It made my children more responsible
My son was in the second grade and often forgetful. One day I went to speak with his teacher.
“My son may not have his homework this week,” I say. “I’m going to stop reminding him so he learns this responsibility. If not, I’m going to have a sixteen-year-old who calls me because he’s forgotten his papers.”
“I wish I had more parents like you,” she says.
Her comment spoke volumes. It made me aware of something. There’s a parental domino effect. When we fail to make our children responsible for their homework, it becomes our responsibility. We keep reminding them of what they need to do.
We then pass this responsibility onto the teacher.
The teacher is there to teach, not pick up the slack for parents.
We’ve all heard the expression, “We’re not raising children, we’re raising adults.”
It took exactly one week for my son to remember his homework. The rest of elementary school, middle school, and high school were smooth sailing. Every once in a blue moon he would forget something. But it was the exception, not the rule.
No more nagging and frustrated mommy.
