Don’t give up. Let go.

There’s an important difference between giving up and letting go.

Jessica Hatchigan, American screen and speech writer

Sometimes it can be tempting to just give up on our kids.

Being a parent is demanding work.  And it’s totally full-time.  I’m sure many parents have felt like quitting at times.  I doubt I’m the only parent who has ever thought, “I’ve had enough for one day.  Do what you like.”  And put the kettle on.  Or hid out in a bedroom.

At the end of a tough day, when all you want is for them to be asleep, it can be really hard to keep setting boundaries and following through.

Or if you’ve got a child who seems to have given up before life has even begun, who is so shy or withdrawn or unhappy that you don’t know what to do, it can be really tough to resist the feelings of despair and helplessness and to keep going and not give up trying to help them.

Or maybe the rows and power struggles are just too much and you find yourself giving up and giving in because in that moment it doesn’t seem worth it and all you want is a more peaceful life.

In moments like these it may be easier to give up but we need to keep going.

If you feel like giving up try letting go instead.  There’s a relief in letting go that frees up energy which can help you keep going.

Let go of the idea that it’s all your fault.  It’s not.

Let go of total responsibility for fixing it.  You can’t.

Let go of as much as you can and things will start to improve.