If we parents allow ourselves to become alienated, we will burn the only bridge by which the child can return. It takes a saint to not be alienated, but with our peer-oriented children, sainthood may be what we are called to. If that seems unnatural, it’s because it is unnatural. Parenthood was never meant to be this way, was not designed by nature with the possibility that our children’s hearts could be turned against us. Yet if we allow ourselves to be pushed away, there is nothing left for the child to hold on to. Keeping ourselves in the game, not allowing ourselves to become alienated is
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