Stop blaming parents, and stop blaming children.

We have no idea how children will turn out. We can only hope for the best while putting into consistent action the best we can, day to day. That’s a two-way street for both parents and children — not one side more than the other. It takes both sides to have a successful childhood.

If we refer to corporate structures, parents are like the global level while children are the local level. Much like in corporate settings, it is common for the local branch to blame the global office and vice versa. Both sides often lack a 360-degree view of the two-way street that defines their relationship. In reality, one cannot exist without the other in terms of communication. If we bring this objective mentality to the parent-child relationship, there would be far less friction on both sides. Both parents and children have points that are objectively true and points that are objectively false.

The challenge is that children often lack the life experience to fully understand a parent’s perspective, while parents may struggle to see life through the eyes of a dependent child. The concept of “and” must take precedence over the divisive nature of “or.” When parents and children approach each other with a mindset of collaboration — like the black and white keys on a piano — not only can harmony be created, but also unique and enriching dynamics that…