I promise… to stop yelling at you. In return, you must promise to stop arguing every time you don’t get your way.
I promise… to drive you to your various medical appointments. In return, you must promise to do what the doctors and therapists have asked of you.
I promise… to give you an allowance. In return, you must promise to do your chores, as well as help when needed around the household.
I promise… to support your dietary explorations by buying, and sometimes preparing, foods nobody else in the household will eat. In return, you must promise to eat regularly and healthily.
I promise… to let you have various electronic gadgets in your bedroom. I also promise not to insist on a specific ‘bedtime’. In return, you must promise to get enough sleep.
I promise… not to nag at you. In return, you must promise to do what’s asked of you when the request occurs.
I promise to meet you halfway… if you promise to be there as well.
Some promises for my daughter
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That sounds reasonable. However, these sound like promises I make to MYSELF regularly (especially about getting enough sleep & eating well) & I don’t listen to my own self very well. Sigh. Hopefully you’ll have better luck with your daughter 🙂
We all make these promises to ourselves. And for the most part (as adults), we do accomplish them. The kiddo’s complete lack of achievement, though, is what’s behind this post. Very frustrating…
Welcome to the wonderful world of parenting a teenager.
~EdT.