What Makes You a Cool Parent
Facing with the fact that teenagers always complain that they are embarrassed of their parents with different reasons. Some reasons are valid and legitimate, like age differences or insensitive to their developmental needs while others are not. Many parents are driven by these reasons and try to be cool. Bryan talks about parents could try to be cool, however, without sacrificing some of the qualities that make them a parent. Bryan said,
“Again, being a parent is not about being your child’s best friend. It’s not about being cool. It’s not about letting your child get away with everything because YOU LOVE THEM. Of course you love them, they are your kids. However, you need to draw a line in the sand about what is considered being cool, and what is considered being a parent…. “
Many parents are desperately concerned with the way their children respond to them. Especially the remarks of their kids whether they feel their parents are cool or not sometimes drive parents to make some ignorant decisions, such as hold a party with alcohol at home. Parents who want to be friends with their teens usually trapped into the fear of being hated by them. Using concrete examples, Bryan depicts a very clear picture of how to be a cool but responsible and sensible (not ignorant) parent.
The really cool parents are those who:
- Have sensible bottom line
- Know how to earn the respect of kids
- Teach kids learn of consequences and make wise decisions in life
- Not being afraid of standing firm with principles without using coercion
How to be a cool but responsible parent [lifehut.org]