Why do kids think that we don't know what they are going through?

Question

I remember as a kid that I was sooo self absorbed that I just "knew" that no one knew the things that I went through or thought about. And now, as I raise my own children, I know that they think the same thing. When talking to my oldest son about joining the marines, I told him that if I signed those papers and he changed his mind later, that he would have a hard time getting out of it. After alot of begging and pleading, I signed those papers. And when he changed his mind I asked him if it was because of a girl. He swore that it wasn't. I told him that if that were the case, he would end up regretting that decision for the rest of his life. How can I make him understand that I know what I'm talking about?

Answer 1

Because they look at us as being "old". They can't grasp the reality of our having been young at one time and went through much the same as they are going through now. They compare our time with their time and feel things are so much different now. They don't realize that even though times have changed human emotions don't. As for making your son understand.... I'm sorry but, I don't have an answer for that. I know this doesn't help but sometimes we have to let them make their own decisions. (Painful as that is for us as a parent.)

Answer 2

You can lecture, you can tell stories, you can try just about anything, but the fact is that most kids are going to learn the hard way, especially if that's been the way of their personality. Some kids listen more than others, but I don't think it's because they believe their parents 'have been there and done that' but rather because they feel obligated to be a good kid. Keep trying though, and think about your approach. Maybe there are books out there that better explain what you are trying to say, maybe they will believe a book or some other person over you, I don't know....I always told my stepdaughter that smart people are not immune to making dumb decisions, and she never understood what I meant until she found herself pregnant at 16.....she's a great mommy and making a go of it, but NOW she really understands what I meant. Keep trying

Answer 3

i think the reason that most kids dont think their parents know what theyre going through is because a lot of parents ACT like they dont know what we are going through. my mom was always there for me and knew what i was going through. my dad NEVER acted like he had ever been in my place at one time therefore it was hard to believe that he ever was.