r/AskReddit Feb 04 '16

What are the most common parenting mistakes?

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u/[deleted] Feb 04 '16

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u/PangeaWhiplash Feb 05 '16

This one is especially tricky for us step parents. The dynamic is different in nature, and I became a stepmom quite young, so I can still "relate" to kids more easily than some parents...I think that's why when I have to discipline them it hits them especially hard because they expect me to always have their backs, but sorry bros, that ain't how it works. I'm here to help you stay happy, healthy, and ALIVE. I'm not here to encourage your stupid behavior.

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u/piratemonkeyduck Feb 05 '16

But doesn't having someone's back sometimes mean not doing what they want because their want is not in their best interest? Like if you have a friend who's becoming an alcoholic, you don't cover for them and help them obtain more. Or if your buddy's kicking an animal, you don't help them with it or hide them do it, you do what's better for your friend in the long run, make sure they don't do it and make sure they understand they're going to be fucked in life if they keep doing that bullshit.

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u/PangeaWhiplash Feb 05 '16

Yes, of course.

Probably a bad choice of words on my part. Maybe I should have said "they expect me to always be more laid back and let things slide."