My dad was exceptionally fair. Any conflict was addressed by sitting down and considering multiple perspectives. If it turned out someone had treated me poorly or done something wrong, he’d give me credit for being in the right but still work with me to find a way to resolve the issue with the other person. On the other hand, if I was in the wrong, he had a way of talking to me that made me realize it on my own.
This approach helped me develop character traits I’m very grateful for, and it also built a parent-child relationship based on mutual trust. I felt comfortable approaching my dad about anything, knowing he’d tell me if I was wrong but also back me if I was right. It was empowering to feel respected as a teenager.
When I was little, we lived near a freeway. I asked my mom one time how far the freeway went and where we’d end up if we just kept driving. Instead of showing me a map, she said, “Let’s see.” We hopped in the car and drove for hours until we were both tired, then pulled out the map and found our way home along the shore of one of the Great Lakes.
This was in the 80s, before GPS or cell phones. I was maybe 10 years old, and she let me navigate us home. She could have just told me or shown me on the map without leaving the couch, but she wanted me to learn for myself.
Parent-child relationships can be challenging at times, but some people seem to have hit the jackpot, blessed with amazing parents who are always there to offer support.