My son asked me, “Can I jump in the pool with my towel on?”
I asked, “Is that a good decision?”
He asked, “will I get in trouble?”
I said, “No, it’s your decision. What do you want to do?”
Too many times when he was younger I’d say No.
Too many times I’d battle him and invoke my “power” as the parent.
Too many times I’d want to be in control.
But that’s the funny thing about growth. As you are trying to move toward happiness the little things don’t matter as much.
Who cares if he jumps into the pool with his towel? It doesn’t hurt him or me at all.
At that moment, It was a small opportunity to give him some independence and make the choice he wanted to make.
He chose to jump in!
It’s what made him happy.
I have to respect that.