Parenting- A Balancing Act

For the past five years I have been attempting to stay carefully balanced in the center of a parental seesaw. On one seat rests my children's independence and creativity -- this side is strong and heartily managing its position. On the opposite side sits obedience and respect for authority, which is desperately attempting to gain momentum. I teeter in the middle, trying to keep both harmoniously balanced, not wanting either to fall.

My toddler is constantly testing the seesaw's equilibrium point by forcefully jumping on independence's seat and refusing to budge. When she does this I sometimes feel the need to creep in the opposite direction, inching my way towards respect.

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