Parents to a Higher Standard – Part 2
by Dr. Coach Love
Continuing… I hold parents to a higher standard of behavior. Do you agree?
My reason is simple. I believe parents’ job as role models for both children and adult children continues throughout the lifecycle. Handling conflict and differences appropriately is one critical life skill, which is difficult to learn. A healthy parental example of taking the initiative and overcoming obstacles is valuable.
However, when adult children are between 30 and 35, relationships generally shift. Most of the parents will be between 50 and 65. At that point, responsibility for working on the “relationship” can (and I believe should) be shared. This is higher-level collaborative example of negotiating differences.
By the time parents are between 70 and 80, depending on health, I hold adult children to a higher standard of behavior than their senior parents. What goes around comes around. Still, senior parents continue to serve a vital function as role models.
In Part 3, I will offer coaching tips to help you reconnect with college age kids and young adults. If you agree with the philosophy I outlined above, consider how any one or all of these ideas might be appropriate for your situation.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Regards,
Dr. Coach Love
MORE INFO LINKS: Posts-Pt1 3/27/08, Pt3 4/15/08, Pt4 4/16/08
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v Questions selected will be edited as needed to reflect privacy,
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v Sorry, Dr. Coach Love is unable to offer any personal advice through this blog.
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© Copyright 2008 P.H. Pickett, Ph.D. All rights reserved. Reprint with permission.
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