When I was in Broken Hill a couple of years ago, I saw this sign and had to take a photo. My friend Rhonda and I often say ‘tough love’ after we’ve had to pull our kids back into shape. Sometimes, they just get a little away with themselves. They start taking you for granted, or forget to ask and just expect, or begin to feel sorry for themselves as they feel entitled to privileges.
I didn’t know there was an actual organisation called toughlove. We just nicknamed our ‘putting our foot down’ and ‘standing up for our rights’ behaviour as that. I looked at the website and reckon it looks like that is what they are about too! It’s a shame that so much publicity goes to the Corry Worthington’s of the world and not to promoting programs to support parents through tough times. I have not come across this organisation but it sounds like a positive thing. Has anyone had any experience with this group?
Tough isn’t abusive or cruel. It is firm and sticking to your guns. It is setting boundaries and having standards that you mean to uphold. I think kids like boundaries. We all like to know where we stand. It demonstrates that you have a healthy self respect. It’s good modeling for young people to see that you won’t allow them to walk all over you. I think it is responsible parenting. Columnist for ‘The Australian’, Ruth Ostrow, wrote a great post along these lines on the weekend ‘Mum’s Who Kid Themselves’, it reflect on parenting skills in the area of dieting. It’s not about being extreme or over the top with discipline, but sometimes we make rods for our own back, don’t we? I know I have. Even Madonna (according to today’s Age) is into Tough Love.
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