Sometimes it is easier to just give in, but then we are not fulfilling our parenting task.
Molding a child to have good character includes ensuring that he take responsibility for his actions. Where am I, as the parent, responsible? Where is he, the child, responsible? These are difficult questions to answer and they vary with the age of the child. It is something that we must think about. To sum up:
Parenting requires a lot of thinking about ourselves, about our children, and about our role.
Here is another obvious statement; and yet, are we doing it? As the Ramchal writes about chachamas hayira, we must give this most important of life tasks careful thought in order to succeed at it. It is the only way to successfully raise a child of good character who has purpose and who takes responsibility for himself.
Alas, there is no easier way.
