An Argument With My Teen Made Me Realize I Am Too Strict

As I dug around in my purse, looking for my keys, I yelled, “Let’s go! We are going to be late!” at the kitchen ceiling. Trying to herd two teenagers out the door to a doctor’s appointment on a day off from school is no easy task. I waited for the familiar sound of stomping feet on our staircase but it was silent.

“Guys, let’s GOOOOO!” I bellowed from the bottom of the stairs.

And then I heard the shower being turned on in the bathroom my two kids share.

My son had decided that our agreed upo...