💬 Parenting Out Loud: The Hill You’ll Die On
What’s the one parenting rule, philosophy, or belief you’ll defend no matter what?
We all have that one thing. The principle or rule we’ll defend to the end, even when our kids hate it—or when other parents raise an eyebrow. Maybe it’s no screens at the dinner table. Maybe it’s handwritten thank-you notes for every single gift. Or maybe it’s the classic “kitchen’s closed after 7 PM” rule.
It doesn’t matter how small, quirky, or old-school it is—this is the hill you’ll die on, no questions asked.
What’s the one parenting philosophy, rule, or belief you’ll never compromise on?
💬 Share your hill in the comments. Whether it’s serious, funny, or somewhere in between, I’d love to hear what you’re standing firm on—and why.
📌 I’ll kick things off with my own in a pinned comment—steal it, debate it, or tell me it’s ridiculous. I can take it.
Honesty. That’s my hill. I can handle just about anything, but I have a significant aversion to being blindsided by hidden details or offerings of half-truths.
In our house, transparency isn’t just a rule—it’s a commitment. It’s how we build trust, even when the truth is messy, uncomfortable, or hard to hear. My girls know this is non-negotiable.
That also means I have to be ready to listen, no matter what they say. If I want the truth, I have to be willing to hear it and respond in a way that keeps the door open. No shutting down, no overreacting. Just honesty met with honesty. And it only works if we all buy in.
It’s not always easy, but it’s the foundation on which everything else is built.
Be intentional. Parents mess up so much more from acting without thought or reason than from flawed information or bad intentions. Our own parents cautioned us not to blindly follow our friends as they jumped off the bridge, but we forget that rule in our parenting. Don't end up doing what "everyone else does." If you don't have a reason to act, your action may not be needed at all.
It only takes a couple of extra seconds to put some thought into it. Pause to make sure you're taking in all the information available, including your own emotions. You can even rethink things after the moment has passed. The only bad mistakes are the ones you repeat, because it means you didn't learn from them. Make pausing for introspection a habit and not only will your child benefit, but your relationship with him or her will be stronger and more balanced.