Honesty Can Be Brutal

Honesty is a form of tough love. It is important to note that parents were able to communicate in all honesty their feelings even if it meant hurting their children in the process.

Children should understand that parents are not hurting them willfully or deliberately. It comes with the territory. Honest discussions about how parents perceived them have to be said whether they like it or not. Honesty can be brutal however it is living evidence and proof of how much parents care for them and how much they want their relationship to work.

Seeing Children Through Rose Colored Glasses

We are all familiar with the old saying “Parents see their children through rose-colored glasses.” It is usually meant as an insult as parents failed to notice negative things even when warning alarms and red flags are evident.  They see things as better even though it is not. Indeed we clap our hands as they continue staying optimistic and positive ... loving their children despite their flaws. The sad reality is, we are enabling our children to continue doing wrong ... when it needs to stop.

Tough love is about setting boundaries and reminding your child of his excesses.  It is about setting limits ... a rude awakening that he needs to change.  It is overcoming challenges ... and growing stronger through adversity.