I was a wonderful parent before I had children. I was an expert on why everyone else was having problems with theirs. Then I had three of my own.
When we acknowledge a child’s feelings, we do him a great service. We put him in touch with his inner reality. And once he’s clear about that reality, he gathers the strength to begin to cope.
When we give children advice or instant solutions, we deprive them of the experience that comes from wrestling with their own problems.
I was a wonderful parent before I had children.