LEADERSHIP WITHIN A FAMILY
LEADERSHIP WITHIN A FAMILY
A leader or leaders will emerge in every family.
If parents are unable or unwilling to perform the leadership role, a child will take over. There is no minimum age for this to happen. Some parents become “slaves” to a newborn, the moment (s)he comes home from the hospital.
Frequently heard comments from parents who are not in charge of their home:
- “We can’t take him/her out to a restaurant, mall, etc.
- “We can’t go out because (s)he won’t stay with a sitter.”
- “We can’t find a sitter who will stay with him/her.”
- -“We have no time to ourselves, (s)he demands all our attention.”
- “(S)he insists on staying up until we go to bed.”
- -“(S)he has to sleep in our bed.”
- “We have no social life.”
- “It’s getting so I don’t even like this child anymore.”
CHILDREN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN A FAMILY ARE NOT HAPPY.