Your Kid Is Not The Only One

Last night I ran a mini Positive Discipline workshop for the local moms club.

And one of the first things I did was ask the moms to make a list of their biggest parenting challenges. You know, real button-pushing behaviors.

90% of the moms in attendance had kids who were 4 years old or younger. And when I asked them to share their challenges, they all seemed to be really hesitant. Like they were embarrassed to acknowledge that their kids weren’t perfect.

It took a minute or two before someone threw hitting out there.

And I actually heard someone exhale and say, Ahhhh. It’s not just me. 

So let me put this out there for any of you moms who think your kids are doing stuff that other peoples’ kids don’t do…

Your kid is not the only one who gets pissed and hits you. Lots of kids do that.

Your kids are not the only kids who attempt to beat the crap out of each other.

Your kid is not the only kid who lies.

Your kid is not the only kid who bites.

Your kid is not the only kid who is afraid of the noise the toilet makes when it flushes or who is terrified of the hand dryer in the Target bathroom (holy shit that thing is loud).

Your kid is not the only kid who has told you he hates you and he hates his entire family.

Your kid is not the only kid who rolls her eyes at you.

Your kid is not the only kid who talks back.

Your kid is not the only kid who steals stuff.

Your kid is not the only kid in kindergarten (or second grade or even seventh grade) who still wets the bed at night.

Your kid is not the only kid who refuses to wear clothing that doesn’t have elasticized waistbands.

Your kid is not the only kid who demands that her apples be sliced into perfectly-sized slices.

Your kid is not the only kid who still has a blankie. Even if she’s in high school.

Your kid is not the only kid who still uses a pacifier when she’s four years old.

Your kid is not the only kid who is eight years old and can’t ride a bike yet.

Your kid is not the only kid who does some really weird shit, whatever it is, that you are sure nobody else’s kids could possibly do.

All kids do strange or stupid or annoying or mean or puzzling or unbelievably frustrating things.

So don’t beat yourself up, and don’t be embarrassed.

Your fellow moms may not be broadcasting these things to the world, but I guarantee you, whatever challenging/infuriating/fucked up things your kids are doing, their kids are doing them, too.

Click here to register today!