Does “You live under my roof, You follow my rules” still apply? Absolutely!!

Growing up this was a standard response to things that I did not like or agree with as I became an adult living in my parents‘ house. It started me thinking of some of the arguments or power struggles I have had with my own kids at times but I rarely pulled that card but it definitely still applies. In fact, no matter how old you are it applies.

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Today’s generation of kids have grown up with the internet, social media and a philosophy of parenting that has enabled many to believe they are more well versed and better capable to make decisions on their own than their parents or others that are at a more senior level than themselves. In many ways for them it feels true because who can argue that information is at their fingertips in a way it never was for us. Information is power and as such they have grown up “powerful” with real world and real time knowledge about every subject under the sun at their disposal. Social media has only heightened their sense of feeling empowered to be subject experts and engage with all kinds of people not just in their neighborhoods but around the world. Their neighborhood has always been global.

All that being said when you bring it back to the individual dynamic of parent and child or even young adult there is a difficult transition. Listening or respecting views they don’t agree with because their real world experiences are limited may feel greater than they really are because of their connection to the outside world with the many outlets and constant bombardment of information. It gives them a false sense of “know it all syndrome” I like to call it that is an impediment to being able to understand that rules they may not like or agree with should apply to them.

In my opinion, there is the problem. They do still apply and the rules in my house still apply no matter how outdated, antiquated or irrelevant they may seem to the internet and social media generation. Accepting that for many young adults still living at home can be a struggle but I would encourage and empower other parents to reignite the battles cry you are entitled to implement that “if you live under my roof, you follow my rules”. Boom, discussion over. Take it or leave it and accept it or not. There is wisdom there and it doesn’t have to be dissected and discussed. Remember as parents sometimes we don’t owe our kids explanations for things even though sometimes we get reeled in to believing we do ( me included). However, we don’t.. “Because I said so” sometimes is all you need to say even with the inevitable eye roll or “But”.....

Don’t engage if you feel you don’t need to . You are in charge and you make the rules and if they aren’t respected maybe they are so old and so wise they can learn to live somewhere else on their own terms paying their own bills. Respect goes both ways but in the end your house means your rules and if they don’t like it it might be time for them to find a new zip code.

XO & #StayCurious