When I get angry, I feel as though I have to justify my actions and defend why I feel the way I do. This started long before my children began using drugs.
When my children were small and I established a rule, they would always ask why. I felt that I owed them a detailed explanation, which I thought would make me feel better. I believed, “No” should never mean just “No.” I felt I had to find the right words and the gentlest way to tell them why I had to say “No.” I believe I did this because I did not want them to be hurt or make them upset. I felt that this was the right and loving way to parent, and once they understood me then they would obey…
*The Daily Reading is an extract from the SESH Book which forms part of Nar-Anon’s official literature. To order this book and others, please use this link.