The Village People

Despite what the internet tells us, you are not supposed to be everything to your kids. Children benefit from having a variety of adult models in their life, each serving a slightly different purpose and meeting a different need. The kids who do the best in the long run are those that have fostered connection and relationship with adults outside their family. This can be tricky for parents to accept because even if you are the actual expert in the thing they need help with, they may not want to hear it or accept it from you. The same words coming from a different adult may be heard and absorbed more readily, specifically because there is more distance in that relationship. The dynamics, expectations, and emotional vulnerability is not the same as it is within the parent/child relationship, and that is ok! It isn’t personal (even if might feel that way). Rather, it is a reflection of the fact that your child wants you to remain their parent – their cheerleader – their soft-landing place. Not their teacher, or coach, or even their therapist.

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