I was taught to respect adults - regardless of who they were or what they did, it was confusing for me...but when one looked around, children and young adults weren't given the same respect. Then I was told that one has to earn respect, but as a child or growing adolescent how do you earn respect if you're not shown it? What you wrote here grounds children and parents in mutual love, trust & respect that lays a fantastic foundation and it's never too late to start! Great read!
Thank you for sharing this—what you described is so real for so many of us. That mismatch between what we were told and what we actually experienced can leave a lasting mark. I really believe kids don’t learn respect through power—they learn it through relationship. Grateful this spoke to you, Lisa.
Wouldn’t that be something? I think so many of us are learning it later—and the long way around. Grateful to be in the conversation and really appreciate the encouragement, Kathy. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this. You perfectly described and put in to words, providing great clarity, what I needed to hear, read, and reflect on from my own past as well as my, and my family's and kids', present and future. Thank you so much for helping me with this understanding and clarity, not only with the what and why but also the how as well to better improve my life, and my family's and my kids' lives. I grew up like this and after finding the predictable stability and routine and the established rules and clarity that helped me to recover from trauma, grow, and thrive even when life got messy, I then had to leave that routine as our lives changed and continued being very messy and I have to implement and maintain my own predictable stability and routine and established rules and clarity but it is very challenging especially when life is messy (and boy does life stay messy). I have been growing and changing and once again recognizing how necessary all of this is for everybody as well as having a clearly defined path and goals for myself and my family. Thank you for writing this and for helping me to recognize what is needed, why it is, and how (with examples) to achieve it.
Wow—thank you so much for this, truly. I can feel how much lived experience is behind your words. What you described—that tension between knowing what brings stability and trying to hold onto it when life gets messy—is so real. It means a lot to know the piece helped name something important for you. You’re doing brave, meaningful work—for yourself and your family. I’m incredibly grateful you shared this, Eliza.
That’s the highest compliment a writer can get—thank you, Kayla. The thought of this being part of a real-life walk-and-talk means more than I can say.
"Parenting advice is relentless." Aint that the truth?
I was taught to respect adults - regardless of who they were or what they did, it was confusing for me...but when one looked around, children and young adults weren't given the same respect. Then I was told that one has to earn respect, but as a child or growing adolescent how do you earn respect if you're not shown it? What you wrote here grounds children and parents in mutual love, trust & respect that lays a fantastic foundation and it's never too late to start! Great read!
Thank you for sharing this—what you described is so real for so many of us. That mismatch between what we were told and what we actually experienced can leave a lasting mark. I really believe kids don’t learn respect through power—they learn it through relationship. Grateful this spoke to you, Lisa.
such a good point. thank you.
Thanks, Laurel!
Have you written a book?
I haven't, but I would love to.
If only ideas and knowledge like this could be taught as compulsory lessons in school and onward. Keep spreading the good word. Thank you.
Wouldn’t that be something? I think so many of us are learning it later—and the long way around. Grateful to be in the conversation and really appreciate the encouragement, Kathy. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this. You perfectly described and put in to words, providing great clarity, what I needed to hear, read, and reflect on from my own past as well as my, and my family's and kids', present and future. Thank you so much for helping me with this understanding and clarity, not only with the what and why but also the how as well to better improve my life, and my family's and my kids' lives. I grew up like this and after finding the predictable stability and routine and the established rules and clarity that helped me to recover from trauma, grow, and thrive even when life got messy, I then had to leave that routine as our lives changed and continued being very messy and I have to implement and maintain my own predictable stability and routine and established rules and clarity but it is very challenging especially when life is messy (and boy does life stay messy). I have been growing and changing and once again recognizing how necessary all of this is for everybody as well as having a clearly defined path and goals for myself and my family. Thank you for writing this and for helping me to recognize what is needed, why it is, and how (with examples) to achieve it.
Wow—thank you so much for this, truly. I can feel how much lived experience is behind your words. What you described—that tension between knowing what brings stability and trying to hold onto it when life gets messy—is so real. It means a lot to know the piece helped name something important for you. You’re doing brave, meaningful work—for yourself and your family. I’m incredibly grateful you shared this, Eliza.
This was so great. I just shared it with a few friends and asked if we could discuss it on our walk this week. Love your writing, Erin.
That’s the highest compliment a writer can get—thank you, Kayla. The thought of this being part of a real-life walk-and-talk means more than I can say.
Elite guidance my friend. You keep getting better.
Thank you, friend. Grateful to be in this conversation with you.
Wow this is a powerful piece — so much resonated and so much to reflect on. Thank you for sharing!
I really appreciate that, Kiya—thank you.