Just like in yesterdays blog Im going to basically transcribe a story from Reggie Joiners Think Orange in this blog. Its such a powerful and memorable story that I hope you share it with other parents.

One afternoon he and his daughter, Rebekah, were having a conversationa rather loud one. It was one of those youre thirteen and you will do what I say and I am your father and you have to listen to me and thats just the way it is kinds of moments.”

Thats when it happened. She took a verbal shot at me that totally caught me off guard. It hit me so hard I heard myself catch my breath. I had never dreamed one of my children would say what she said to me

I was so shocked. I had no comeback. It was so personal that I was extremely hurt.

I did the only thing I could think to do at that moment. I left. I walked out of the room, down the stairs, through the den, into the garage, got into my car, and drove off. Have I already said that I was really upset, and very, very personally offended?

I was driving down the road, feeling betrayed, when about fifteen minutes into the drive, my mobile phone rang. It was Rebekah.

Dad, Im sorry, she said. You know I really didnt mean what I saidBut why did you leave? Why did you walk out? I need to know that our relationship is worth fighting for.’

Beautiful expression: a relationship worth fighting for. Do students know that their parents will fight for a relationship with them? What security that brings to a kid.