Parenting Phrases You Swore You Would Never Use
written by: the Write Your Life team | 8 June 2017
We all remember the first time we caught ourselves saying one of ‘those’ phrases – the very same phrases that had caused us so much annoyance when they came from the mouths of your own parents. This is just another one of life’s ‘aha’ moments. When we made the silent promise to ourselves that we would never resort to using such ridiculous and meaningless sayings on our own children, we never realised the sanity-saving powers of the nonsensical phrase.
“Because I said so, that’s why!”
Anyone who doesn’t understand the value of this phrase has never heard the word “why” used 350 times in one day.
“Money doesn’t grow on trees you know.”
Sometimes this one doesn’t work so well, like when you get a smarty-pants who replies that actually cash notes do technically come from trees. In this type of scenario it’s always best to return to the all-encompassing “because I said so”.
“So if your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?”
This is supposed to encourage thoughtful contemplation about the evils of peer pressure, but usually just leads to eye rolling. You know, like you used to when your parents said it to you.
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“While you’re living under this roof….”
Just a fancy way of saying “I’m the boss of you”.
“If the wind changes, your face will stay like that!”
This phrase loses its edge after the first time you use it, when you get that split second of uncertainty from your child.
“I’m counting to five! One….”
No-one knows what actually happens when you get to five, as this non-specific threat usually leads to the desired outcome – and we can stretch those first four numbers out for a reaaaallllly long time if necessary.
“When I was your age…..”
This usually starts off as a fairly innocuous reminder about showing gratitude, but once you start down this road it is a slippery slope to the story about walking to school in bare feet in the snow.
Did the similarities in your parenting style to that of your own parents stop at the cliché phrases? Once you become a parent yourself, changes in your relationship with your own parents are inevitable. Make sure you remember to include these insights as part of your life story – they are a fascinating record of changing perspectives throughout your life.
If you're wondering where this subject matter is covered in our Online Chapters, there are a number of detailed questions in the following chapters: "Pearls of Wisdom", "Children" and "Parents and Family Relationships". You can find out more about the chapters available by clicking here.
