Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
John, parents may think of that season of mentoring, which occurs during the teen years, as the last season of parenting. But they would be missing something important. Tell our listeners about emancipation and the season of friendship, would you, please?

John Rosemond:
After emancipation, you enter into the season of friendship. This is the season during which you are still a biological parent, but you are the child’s peer, you are a friend.

You know, this is ironic that we find many, many American parents attempting to establish friendship with their children long before that is a natural imperative in the parent-child dynamic. We see parents, and especially fathers, trying to be their child’s best buddies when their children are 4, 5, 6 years old, when they ought to be providing leadership. You can't provide leadership and try to enter into an intimate relationship at the same time.

You have to sacrifice relationship to significant degree in order to provide proper leadership. And if you provide proper leadership during the season of leadership, 3 to 13, the relationship will happen. It will happen in its own time, you won’t have to push on that.

Mike:
Well, John, thank you for standing up for biblical and common-sense parenting and thanks for sharing these insights with our listeners this week! It’s been a privilege to have you on the program. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.