It feels important to me to keep reminding myself of a simpl…

It feels important to me to keep reminding myself of a simple thing: regardless of success or failure, whether we are talking about children or adults, people deserve to be spoken to with respect, attention, kindness, and love.

The parenting style we were raised with often switches on automatically. Relearning yourself is hard. I catch myself noticing that my child’s interests sometimes are far from what feels important to me, and I forget that his path and his pace are not mine. Each time, I bring myself back to something simple: he is a child. He is a separate person. A different human being. My own, beloved person. And I am on his side.

Of course, I still give lectures 😅 and I am honest about what I do not like. Parental authority is a powerful thing, and the temptation to use it is great. Sometimes, when I am tired, I may say “do it the way I said” without explanation. Or I may slip into criticism. But when that happens, I always apologize.

Because a person does not become less valuable simply because they are small. A child is not an “unfinished adult” but a person here and now.

The world is not black and white. Very little in it is unambiguous. You can make mistakes and still remain gentle. You can be demanding without humiliating. You can fail to understand another person and still choose respect. You can be afraid and still move toward your fear. You can love and still let go. Contradictions are not a sign of weakness but a sign of living, thinking.

For me, parenthood is not about being perfect. It is about the constant choice not to take away another person’s dignity.