Dear questioner,
I'm Kelly, and I want to offer you a hug. I can see that you're being hard on yourself, and I can also see that you're confused and feeling guilty. Let's take a moment to analyze this together.
✍️[About being demanding]
My dear, had I not had the opportunity to study family therapy this year, I might not have been aware of how demanding I can be. When you see a friend being demanding with their child, what are your thoughts?
Do you find the term "demanding" to be a bit of a turn-off?
Perhaps you have some challenging memories of being demanding? You can observe how your friends interact with their children, and they can serve as a reflection.
If I may, I would like to share my story with you.
My mother was a demanding person, and after I got married, I found myself being quite demanding of myself. I can see now that this may have influenced my interactions with my husband and children.
I came to understand that there is a concept in psychology called intergenerational transmission, which suggests that the way our parents look can influence our own appearance over time.
For instance, when my daughter was in primary school and junior high school, I didn't allow her to drink alcohol. I always thought that I loved her very much, but in fact, a child who has never tried alcohol will always be eager for it.
One day, I met my daughter coming home from school, chatting with her friends and drinking a drink. She seemed to view me as if I had made a mistake, and she quickly put the remaining drink with the lid closed into the trash can.
I could see she was feeling a little down, so I gave her a hug and told her I was sorry.
I believe that I have no right to restrict her freedom, even though I am her mother.
I recall that my mother did something similar to me when I was younger. I believe it's important to allow children the freedom to explore and play.
When I was in primary school, I was not permitted to go out and play with my friends.
At one point, I did try to restrict my daughter. I saw her looking enviously at the children running freely downstairs as she leaned against the window, but I immediately sensed that it wasn't the right thing to do.
(
I wonder why I feel guilty when I see my daughter flustered.
I once made a vow that I would never emulate my mother, and I believed I was superior to her. However, had I not observed my daughter's gaze, I might have remained unaware of these nuances. Her eyes reflected a similar sense of disillusionment that I had once experienced.
[Regarding adolescent children]
Just as our lives have different stages, so do families. Junior high school students begin to change, or rather, they become better, with their own thoughts. Could this be when the "independent movement" begins?
Let's consider a scenario where, during junior high school, I began to challenge my mother's authority. My parents discouraged me from reading novels, so I resorted to reading under the covers with a flashlight.
Children at this age present a unique set of challenges that can test our wisdom. They are no longer the child who depended on us 100% when they were young.
I recall that when my daughter was in junior high school, I tended to be quite irritable and often felt that she was disobedient and less compliant than she had been in the past.
Perhaps we could consider trying to connect with them in a more friendly way, communicating with them more actively, or finding ways to distract them.
1: It might be helpful to cultivate the habit of reading for ourselves as a way of distracting ourselves.
2: It might be helpful to understand what books junior high school students like, and you could consider recommending them to your children. You might also find it beneficial to read the books recommended by their teachers. This could help you to keep up with your children, have common topics to talk about, and occasionally help them understand.
3: It would be beneficial to show respect, trust, and understanding towards children, and to foster a friendship with them.
It would be beneficial for parents to consider that, in many cases, they are the primary influence in their child's life. This is particularly relevant in families where there is only one child. It is therefore important for parents to be their children's friends, and to be a positive role model.
4: We do our best to be good examples for our children.
I would suggest reading "Why Families Get Sick" and "Mr. Toad Goes to the Psychologist." These books are accessible and provide valuable insights into psychology, which can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.
It might be helpful to consider the following:
[Children playing with mobile phones]
My daughter is already in her senior year of high school, and I recall having some differing opinions with her about this when she was in junior high.
In our time, the mobile phone has become a source of contention between parents and children.
It's possible that they feel lonely and that their friends are on their phones. It might be that reading is not their preferred activity and that they feel under pressure. It's also possible that they feel that their phones help them to forget their worries.
1: It might be helpful to take the initiative to communicate with your child, and you could then play with your phone after homework is finished.
2: It might be helpful to make good use of the "mobile phone," for example, by encouraging children to watch some of the things they like on their phones, and at the same time, they can record it.
3: I remember that my daughter enjoys listening to music and frequently uses her phone. For instance, I encouraged her to research her favorite band and how these individuals have established their own unique space in the music industry. I then inquired about the qualities she admires in them.
Could you kindly shed some light on the advantages and disadvantages?
It might be said that the same is true of literature. Not only do they learn about the content of a book, but they also gain insight into the author's background and information. This could be seen as a way of satisfying their desire to look at their phones, while also providing an opportunity for them to develop the ability to think independently.
4: You might consider encouraging your child to read more biographies of famous people, to learn more about other people's stories, to understand what a person's life entails, to open up their inner world, and to enrich their minds.
(Perhaps someone he looks up to will offer him support in this process.)
It might also be helpful to observe the children's inner world and see who they like.
I wonder if you recall our school days?
We wonder if there are certain things our parents don't allow us to do.
The topic of youth is one that never truly ends.
The questioner might also find it helpful to read "The Biography of Yang Jiang." I personally find her parents' educational philosophy very inspiring, and I believe Mr. Liang Qichao's approach to family education is also worth exploring.
✍️[Daddy's relaxed management]
The questioner has a strong sense of awareness and feels that her and her husband's educational philosophies for their child are somewhat different, which is perfectly normal for first-time parents facing their adolescent child for the first time. You and your husband come from different family backgrounds, so it would be really helpful to communicate with your husband about this.
1: Could you please share which parenting styles you found effective during your upbringing?
2: Could you kindly share some of the positive qualities you see in him? Do you think they might have been influenced by his parents?
3: It might also be helpful for the questioner to consider which of their parents' virtues when they were young have influenced their lives.
4: On the other hand, there may be a few areas that we could improve on, and it would be beneficial to work on breaking some of the intergenerational problems that our parents have handed down to us.
5: It might be helpful to communicate more with your husband, go for walks, cook together, and even watch movies occasionally, so that your children can see that you are a team, and not just you and your husband.
6: It may be helpful to look for the child's strengths and to encourage, affirm, appreciate, and trust them.
Perhaps we could consider giving them some space to grow by staying a little bit away from them.
✍️
I would like to take this opportunity to mention that this is a common problem faced by countless families. Many parents are unaware of it, but it is encouraging to see that you are already looking for answers and unravelling the confusion. Learning is a lifelong process. As long as we, as parents, are observant and reflective, we can trust that our children will grow up happily.
It is important to remember that children will grow up too, and that they will eventually leave home to go to university. It is a good idea to make the most of the time you have together, and to support each other in this journey of growth.
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your well-being!
My name is Kelly.
I would like to express my love and appreciation for the world.
Comments
I totally understand how challenging it can be to find the right balance. Setting boundaries is important, but so is listening and understanding. Maybe try to establish a routine where you have open conversations about her feelings and concerns, not just rules. This could help build mutual respect and ease some of the tension.
It sounds like you're really trying to do what's best for your child, even if it makes you the 'bad guy' sometimes. Perhaps focusing on quality time together could help. Find activities you both enjoy and make them a regular part of your week. It might not solve everything, but it can create positive memories and strengthen your bond.
The struggle with electronics is real. Instead of trading or restricting, why not set up a system where screen time is earned through responsibilities or achievements? This way, she feels in control of her own progress and learns valuable lessons about balance. Also, being open about your concerns can show that you care, not just control.
It's tough when you feel like the enemy, especially compared to a more lenient parent. Sometimes, giving a little space can go a long way. Try to identify moments when you can step back and let her take the lead. Trusting her with small decisions can boost her confidence and reduce the feeling of always being under scrutiny.
Parenting a teenager is no easy task, and it's clear you're deeply committed to doing it right. Consider setting aside time for oneonone talks where you actively listen without judgment. Let her express herself fully, and share your thoughts afterward. Building this kind of communication can make her feel heard and respected, which might ease the rebelliousness.