Teaching Them to Fly: Assignment

Take a moment to define your boundaries as a parent.

Perhaps you already know some of your boundaries, or perhaps you have yet to give them much thought. That might depend on your stage of parenting as well as your approach.

Keep in mind that boundaries don’t have to be harsh, but you should be ready to stick to them. Boundaries are not made to be crossed, and enforcing your rules is the best way to teach your child discipline and avoid them from totally running the show. 

As you articulate your boundaries, also keep in mind the Vegas Principle. People often only respect boundaries when they have something to lose if they don’t – kind of like how a child learns not to touch the stove by remembering the pain of getting burnt.

Some boundaries might include:

1. My child must do their chores before hanging out with friends.
2. My child is responsible for remembering to pack the things they need for school, sport, and so on.
3. My child’s homework has to be done before they can watch TV.

If you have a co-parent, perhaps try doing this exercise at the same time, and then discussing both of your responses. How can you both get on the same page?