Here’s a question for you to consider… What would your kids say about you behind your back if they had the chance?
I’m not referring to them trying to bash you or put you down, but simply, if they had the chance to express openly and honestly exactly how they feel about you as a parent, what would they say? Would they rate you as a positive parent?
Stop and think… How would your child answer these questions about you?
1. Are they more positive or more negative?
2. Do they praise more or criticize more?
3. Are they quicker to blame or to take responsibility?
4. Do they always have to be right, or are they okay with sometimes being wrong?
5. Can they see and highlight the good even when they’re surrounded by bad?
6. Do they ever say “I’m sorry”?
7. Do they portray their faith through more of a positive or a negative lens?
8. Is our home a more sex-positive or a sex-negative environment?
9. Is the story of their life one worth repeating or exemplifying?
10. When’s the last time they’ve given you a hug?
11. If you were to mess up right now, how do you think they would respond?
12. Do they make you feel like an important part of the team/family?
13. What is your favorite thing that they do for you?
14. What is your biggest pet peeve that you wish they’d stop doing?
15. How could they show you their love more in a way you would appreciate?
16. What is one thing they say to you too much, or you wish they’d stop saying?
17. What is one thing you wish they’d say to you more often?
18. What is one thing you honestly think your parents are doing right in their parenting?
19. What is one thing you honestly think your parents are getting wrong in their parenting?
20. What is one thing you wish you could say to them if you knew there was nothing off limits?
These are some tough, even thought-provoking questions. But questions worth considering. Maybe even questions worth asking. (Ouch! You knew that was coming, right?!)
Want to know the answer to today’s question, “Are you a positive parent?” It’s simple… ASK.
