Won’t lie. This week has been a challenge. Work has, well been horrific. And then I come home and on top of all the other things that a working parent has to put up with, my eldest has seemingly decided to make it her personal mission to make my life a living hell.
How are you guys doing?
I’m doing well here. There is pressure to make Halloween live up to the huge hype that the kids put into it. I think as long as there is candy they will be satisfied.
One of my biggest concerns rn is my eldest’s fascination with all things military and police - which in my mind equates to being drawn toward a violent hierarchy. We’ve had talks about how some bad cops do terrible things, and the good cops don’t do enough to hold the bad ones accountable, and on the horrors of war. It doesn’t seem to sway him. I’m hoping he grows out of it. (He’s 11.) Anyway his Halloween costume consists of carrying a Nerf rifle, wearing full camo (which is his daily wear anyway), along with any military-type accessories he can find.
It’s still creativity, role playing, and narrative. Lean in and it becomes engagement, collaboration, and curiosity. Challenge him to go so far with different angles that he’s far too smart to stay in Kansas with the whole acres of depressing perspectives you fear. It’s easy to have push beliefs that require something more than an authoritarian approach. Team building alone introduces social censure on authoritarian approaches. And things change very quickly for kids when their lifestyles demand change.
Most people I know that went hard on authoritarian careers really lacked imagination and enjoyment. But really they were one pushy girlfriend away from making alternative choices.
You’re doing great to be just rolling your eyes and going with it. You’ve said your piece and you’re hanging in 🏆 Being a role model by not being a dictator is definitely the way to go.
Aw, thanks for the reassurance! I’m sure you’re right - he’s a good kid; he’ll turn out just fine.