When is a child really ready to go on a mission?

[Anonymous]

You all have been great–I appreciate so much the things you have told me. I am able to see things a little better and realize that my daughter is probably pretty normal—I think I just got really spoiled with my older girls—-we used to just sit and talk–it was something I wanted to do because my mother was so busy she didn’t seem to have the time to just sit and talk with us. My oldest daughter was every mother’s dream of a baby, and stayed that way right on up to going on her mission—we felt like there a little bit of holier than thou attitude when she came home–but that is probably a little normal, too.

I am greatful that my 18 yr old is talented and spiritual, and has had good friends. She is gifted and graduated in the top 10 of her class with quite a few college credits and was awarded her first years tuition at BYU. You all have helped me to remember these things and worry a little less about the other things.

Four of our 11 children are inactive—2 of them cannot drive right now because of DUIs—-and I am worrying about a good kid that won’t talk to me?????

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I remember being self-centered as a youth.

I remember needing a backpack for something. When I found one I dumped out the contents and used it. After the need passed, I decided that I liked it and kept it for my purposes.

I could provide perhaps a half dozen similar examples.

Remembering these examples from my own life help me to realize A) that it is somewhat developmentally appropriate to be self centered and inconsiderate for a time and that I am not failing as a parent if my child acts in this way.

That doesn’t mean that I take abuse. I will remind my child of our standards of behavior even when it doesn’t appear to be sinking in.

[Author]

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