Morning,
I think that being a firm parent is one of the toughest things a mom has to do.
Today one of my kids made some very ill-considered choices…so I chose to inflict specific consequences geared towards driving the point home.
The good news is that was certainly achieved…the not-so-thrilling news is that it resulted in major angst…..angst against which I had to stand firm.
Argh. It would be so much easier to simply let things slide….and not form good habits. Argh!
I had to reiterate several times that I’m not your friend, I’m ‘way above and beyond that, I’m your mom and no, I don’t particularly care if you choose to hate me for this fact. Oh, and never try the test of wills; it’s impossible to break me.
“But mom, what if I’m kidnapped and die and these were your last words to me? You’re being sooooo unfair! You’ll feel soooooo guilty!”
‘Tis amazing the guilt trips children will try to harass their parents with. Sigh.
So….the point has been made, and my kid is currently snarling to herself. Ah well. I know she will emerge stronger for this difficulty…and I also know she will learn better choices for the future. But wow, it’s still just plain hell to watch one’s children choose to be miserable. Sigh sigh sigh.
Kids should come with reboot mechanisms. 
And so the night falls,
Barbara
ps – I wonder if the following are easier to raise?