Image: Flickr/Mark T

“You must not expect old heads upon young shoulders.” (English Proverb)

Anytime we expect more than we should, we’re setting ourselves up for frustration. This is especially true when it comes to parenting. Your kids are going to act like kids. This shouldn’t surprise you; it’s their job. Kids do stupid things. They’ll attach their sister’s Barbie to a ceiling fan to “see how far she can fly when the rope snaps.” Don’t ask me how I know that — just trust me. They will fight bedtime and green vegetables on principle alone. They will get upset and frightened over “silly” things like monsters and thunderstorms. They’re kids; it’s what they do.

It’s our job to take all of that in stride and set boundaries and limitations that will benefit them anyway. Kids are kids and that’s how it should be. We shouldn’t be trying to stamp that infectious joy and curiosity out of them because we want them to be mature. That will come if and only if we show them what maturity looks like no matter what “childish” things they do.