How to calmly respond when other adults break your parenting boundaries
We can be kind in our approach, yet true to what we believe.
Guiding children to follow rules requires awareness, understanding, patience and, let’s be honest, a little creativity. You work so hard to create a set of boundaries that work for your child and your family—and then another adult (a grandparent, aunt or a friend) breaks those boundaries.
When this happens, it can cause frustration and even generate anger. You then may find yourself reacting on your emotion toward the behavior instead of responding to the intention and the person.
What does it take to lead other adults to respect the rules you hold for your children? Follow the four S’s.
4 steps to responding when your parenting boundaries have been broken
1. See from a place of love
The first step to tenderly receive the actions of others is to see from a place of love. Believe that the intention is good. The people that truly care about your child plan to provide pleasure and not pain. The intention of their action is rooted in joy.
As Grandpa passes the largest piece of chocolate cake to your child, he is motivated by your child’s smile, not the potential stomachache and crankiness that follows.
Seeing others in this positive light can soften your reactions to their actions. It doesn’t mean that you allow everything, just that perhaps you adopt the belief of disliking the message, not the messenger.
2. Sift through what’s most important
Another practice includes sifting through what is most important. Which rules fit in your gray area?
My husband and I strongly encourage creative play for our children and choose to limit screen time. Yet, when my children go to Grandma’s house, there is an expectation that they will watch a show, or two or three. I choose to put this in the gray area, recognizing that the visit is a special moment for all of them. When I think of the effects, it really isn’t all that bad, compared to, let’s say, disrespect, or a tired grandparent who can’t adequately be present with my kids for the rest of the day without a break.
And while screen time is a gray area, I hold the line on kindness. There is space for mistakes, messages for wrongdoings, forgiveness for apologies, but kindness is expected in my home, at Grandma’s, everywhere.
Think about what rules to fight for and what rules to flow through. And remember that parenting is a unique experience. Do what offers you and your children the most peace.
Related: Parenting styles are a myth
3. Speak up when necessary
When I see unkind acts from my children or toward my children, I speak up. This is so important, yet for some of us, so hard. I personally find confrontation difficult and avoid the prospect of hurting feelings. Yet, I know that it is my job to protect my children.
This is my intent when I remove my child from a situation I perceive to be physically and emotionally unsafe. But in some situations, I speak up when I have a boundary someone else is not aware of. In that case, I’ll kindly ask someone to not do something for my child.
The bank teller asks to give my child a lollipop—I thank them and ask if they have stickers instead. Surprisingly, those that offer lollipops also tend to have a stash of stickers.
So what if the teller hands the lollipop without asking first? I see that they just want to bring joy, so I thank them, and gently tell my child to hold it until after lunch. (For the record, the first drive home holding the lollipop required a lot of patience; “after lunch, after lunch, after lunch.” But now there is an expectation and perhaps a little lesson in waiting.)
This can be challenging when it feels like you are the one going against the beliefs of others, but the source of your strength comes from knowing your child better than anyone.
Related: You have every right to set boundaries with your kids’ grandparents
4. Show to set an example
Last but certainly not least is the knowledge that we are being watched. Our words and actions are observed, stored and repeated. This doesn’t mean that we have to be perfect—in fact, owning mistakes and learning from them is part of our journey and the lessons we can offer our children.
How we treat our children is how they will treat themselves. How they see us treat other people is how they will treat others.
This Christmas my son received a gift he didn’t like—it was a figurine that scared him a little. He looked at me and I whispered, “Just say thank you.” When we had time alone that evening I shared with him that he doesn’t have to pretend to like something, but he can still show kindness.
I can also choose to approach the giver with gratitude and simply share that we appreciate the thoughtful gift and that he is really interested in construction trucks right now.
What is most impactful is not what we say, but how we say it. We can be kind in our approach, yet true to what we believe.
Then, try to understand the root
I have consciously chosen to notice what “broken rules” most upset me and sit with them long enough to consider the trigger. What I have discovered is that much of my frustration with how other people treat my children stems from a fear of losing control.
When someone makes a decision for my child it means that I didn’t. When someone sweeps in and gives them candy, shows a video game, teaches a disapproving phrase, or shares a scary story, I feel like I didn’t give them the best of what I believe they need.
Yet, when I dig below the reactive frustration fueled by lack of control, I find that giving them space to experience is just another trail on their path.
I can protect them with a dam big enough to prevent a damaging flood, but then a sparkling stream can’t get through either.
Being a parent isn’t about controlling children but guiding them to discover their best selves. And on that journey they need space to explore, to be influenced, to become equipped to handle what can’t be controlled.
I can balance providing protection and allowing experiences. Maybe it doesn’t have to be me versus them, mom versus everyone else. Perhaps there is power in a collective quest to uncover a child’s best self. Imaginably it does take a village to raise a child, and it’s OK to choose that village wisely, and it’s also OK to give those in the village a little space to guide, too.
A version of this post was originally published on January 9, 2018. It has been updated.