From ScreamFree Parenting by Hal Runkel
“Eating everything you want is not that much fun. When you live a life with no boundaries, there’s less joy. If you can eat anything you want, what’s the fun in eating anything you want to?”
Tom Hanks (1956- )
Hanks spoke these words in an interview for Esquire magazine. They were discussing how some movie roles require you to gain weight and how that task simply isn’t as fun as one might think.
Hanks is dead on right about this. Delayed gratification and self discipline don’t exactly sound like fun things to do, let alone teach your children, but they ultimately bring about more joy than you can imagine. I know this sounds like common sense, but just because your kids think that want something doesn’t mean that they really should have it. What they really want is a parent who ruthlessly does what is in their best interest with calm confidence.
I feel parents, especially moms find it so difficult to be the “bad” guy – don’t you think? You want to be your child’s friend, you don’t want them to be mad at you, it makes life more difficult. But when you really stop and think isn’t this one of those lessons you would really like your children to learn when they are at home? Is it really the best thing for your 4 year old to stay up til 10 PM, even though they are begging you that “they want to”? Or for your8 year old to play computer games endlessly with no boundaries or guidelines? There are so many opportunities for us as parents to help our children learn to use common sense and teach that delayed gratification, don’t let those slip by. Be prepared and be ready to take a stand and then STAND FIRM! Don’t be a push-over parent. Your kids will better for it in the end!
For more on ways you can learn new strategies and solutions to those common parenting struggles, join busy moms for a 4 week teleseminar – ScreamFree Parenting for Busy Moms. You will receive a copy of Hal Runkel’s book, “ScreamFree Parenting“, weekly handouts created especially for this series and wonderful support and encouragement from other moms just like you. See what N. Kinzer had to say about the series she just finished:
“Thank you very much for the last 4 weeks! I have learned a lot through your teleconference, what a great way to read a book and speak to other mom’s going through so much of the same things! It was great!”
A few spots remain in the January session – this is the last time this will be offered for the incredibly low $49 price. Don’t miss out! Click here to register or get more information on how this series could change your home!
