“Why can’t you just be chill?” If I had a dollar for every time one of my kids has said that to me in the past few years, I would at least be able to take a nice Alaskan cruise. The fact is, I am NOT chill and I am often rather unpopular with my decisions and parenting. But I figure if I am equally unpopular with all three of my kids than I must be doing something right…
So, for those of you who have younger kids and you are used to being the hero or heroine—the best-est and most wonderful-est parent in the world—be prepared. Unpopularity is on its way. I think that when my kids hit middle school was when I started becoming unpopular. At first, I wasn’t too thrilled with it either. I was used to being that wonderful mom and the first time someone told me they hated me, or asked how I could possibly be trying to ruin their life, I was pretty taken aback. Who me? Wonderful me? I quickly learned, however, that being unpopular with my own teenage children meant that I was doing my job as a parent.
Of course you have probably all gathered that I am not a tyrant, but I can say no and mean it. I don’t need to be my kids’ best bud and I am not at all interested in reliving my own youth. I’m the mom, the old parent, the forty-something who has to keep a level head when the teenagers don’t have one level head between the three of them. I am not the slightest bit afraid of seeming dorky or un-chill. When my son says, “Why do you have to be all player-hating on me like that, Mom?” I can honestly tell him that I have no idea what that means—I am so un-cool and unpopular, I just can’t help myself.
Also: Coming to School In Slippers (And Other Dastardly Deeds)
Just Because It’s Easier to Say Yes (Doesn’t Mean You Should)