The Reason Why There Was No Rebellious Phase

They say a rebellious phase is a 'sign of growth,' but in our home, there was no such phase.
Instead of clashing, we laugh and talk.
Perhaps that 'Mako-style atmosphere' softened any potential rebellion.

'Prepare for the rebellious phase by settling it with sumo wrestling.'
This is a story about the slightly strange relationship between a mother and her children who say such funny things.

This article is the 9th extra edition of the 'Parenting Science to Develop Self-Esteem | Mako's 10 Laws' series.
▼The previous article is here

I hear that a rebellious phase is important, but...

'Rebellious phase.'

'A rebellious phase is important for becoming an adult.'
I have heard those words many times.

But I was very afraid of it.
Because it sounds scary. It sounds painful.

So, how were my three children—a university student, a high school student, and a middle school student—when it came to that? Well...

Actually, none of the threehad a rebellious phase.

Huh?
Could it be that they were in a rebellious phase, but I just didn't notice?
Or maybe it's still to come? (laughs)

Actually, I didn't have a rebellious phase either

In fact, I didn't have a rebellious phase myself.
It probably helped that my parents respected my opinions from the start.

I was just
'It's a hassle to rebel'
'It's a waste of time to be rebellious'
I was that kind of slightly unusual child.

That is precisely why I was afraid of the rebellious phase.
I had absolutely no experience with why people rebel or what the correct way to respond is when they do.

Hearing stories from senior moms like
'We haven't spoken in months'
'They only say "food"'
'I got so angry I punched the wall and broke my hand'

Hearing things like that...
made me even more afraid.

So, I made a certain promise with my children when they were small.

The children laughed and agreed, saying, 'Okay!'

Maybe, just maybe...
this 'settle it with sumo' idea was a good one.

Prepare for the rebellious phase by settling it with sumo wrestling.

There probably isn't another mother who says things like that (laughs).

Does rebellion not work in a home that questions common sense?

From the children's perspective...

'(Prepare for the rebellious phase by settling it with sumo wrestling'

They might have realized that a proper rebellion wouldn't work on a mother who says things like this.

My common sense is someone else's nonsense.
Someone else's common sense is my nonsense.

Faced with a mother who says things like this all the time, the children must have thought:

The children might actually be much more mature than I am.

Summary | The good fortune of not having a rebellious phase

'Rebellious phase = sign of growth'
is something often said.

But the reason we didn't have one in our home might be because we talked a lot about the 'rebellious phase' since they were small.

Maybe it will come later.

But if it does, we'll deal with it then.
I'm sure if we talk properly, it will be fine.
For now, let's leave it at that.

One last thing.
'If you rebel against Mom, you won't get any dinner.'

...This threat might have actually been effective too (laughs).

This article was the 9th extra edition of the 'Parenting Science to Develop Self-Esteem | Mako's 10 Laws' series.
▶Next, ⑩ is here
▶① is here


I have compiled them to make it easier to find articles you are interested in.
▼The overview of this series is here

★I would be happy if you could also read this series★

Thank you for always reading!
I would be happy if you came back again.