Teamwork
Over the past couple months our teenage son has been testing the boundaries of our rules we set as parents. It’s bound to happen with every child sooner or later. It’s a natural progression of them growing up as they try to identify their place in the balance of wanting to be independent yet still needing our support as parents. Our oldest son and teenage son are no exception.
A few weeks ago, we had an episode with him where we had to set him straight quick in a public setting. The scene wasn’t pretty, but we did it together and backed one another up along the way. It’s safe to say that our son came back to his senses and his attitude returned to normal. More recently, we experienced another episode where there was a verbal exchange between us and our son. It started with my wife who became visibly frustrated and without her saying anything further, I immediately knew what I needed to do which was to step in and have a conversation with him to remind him of our rules and expectations. While we dealt with our son on an individual basis, we were still a team and reinforced each other’s message.
We’re sure this won’t be the last time he tests us and when he does, once again, we’ll be ready to deal with it. In the two examples we share, the point we emphasize is that it takes teamwork and teamwork is more effective than handling a situation from an individual perspective. We are at our best when we work together because it allows for different perspectives toward approach and resolution of any situation. Teamwork opens the door to allow us to flex our God given talents, apply lessons learned from experience and move from a “me” to “we” position. Teamwork welcomes healthy debate so that a joint resolution can be reached.
Teamwork also sends a message to others that we are together as a united front and will move as one despite any difference in approach. Teamwork doesn’t just apply to child rearing, it extends to making major decisions in your relationship, financial decisions, business ventures, future planning, and goal setting. Teamwork can also be exercised in the smaller areas of your relationship as you operate in day-to-day roles within the home. For instance, cooking, cleaning, shopping, yard work and washing clothes just to name a few.
We encourage you to carry on in your marriage or relationship with an attitude and intention of teamwork. In doing so, you’ll find the journey a bit easier and more fulfilling.