Three kids, at different stages of life with distinctly different personalities with their own unique needs, must make a parent feel like a big rig trucker flying down an icy mountain road with no brakes.
At any moment, mistakes in judgment might be catastrophic.
Ethan is a sensitive guy who needs a softer touch while Jeff needs it straight and to the point.
Janet, well, Janet’s needs depend on the exact second you’re interacting with her because she’s 14 and all bets are off.
Good enough parenting is truly good enough.
You won’t get it right all the time or even most of the time, but kids are people under construction.
They’ve never been this age before and you’ve never parented them at this age before. Make mistakes and move on.
I’m reminded of the Doobie Brothers song, Minute by Minute. Yep, that’s the approach. Minute-by minute parenting. Perhaps their other hit, What a Fool Believes is closer to reality.
Claudia
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