Hills To Die On (Parenting Edition)

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a standoff with your child and thought:

“Wait… why am I refusing to budge on THIS?”

We’ve all been there. Standing in the bathroom, toothbrush in hand, both of you glaring like it’s the final showdown in a Western. Or insisting that tonight -tonight! - they will eat that one green bean, because if you give in what does that mean about your authority and their gut health???

The truth is, a lot of these battles - food, screen time, hygiene - are less about life skills and more about parenting pressure. We feel like if we don’t enforce them, we’re failing. And honestly, you, just this ONE TIME, would like compliance without having to apply the skills of a hostage negotiator.

But here’s the thing:

• Kids do grow out of food phases (even if it feels like forever).

• The iPad isn’t the enemy—it’s often their way to recharge or connect.

• A skipped shower won’t erase all the values you’ve taught them.

Sometimes, the hill we’re defending isn’t even ours—it’s society’s. Or it is one we were told about growing up and not what our child actually needs. Or it is just about our frustration and has nothing to do with the hill itself. What it is however, is exhausting.

Deciding not to die on that hill today doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you’re saving your energy (and theirs) for the places that really matter—like their safety, their sense of self, and your connection with each other.

When you step back, the fight disappears. And what’s left is space for problem-solving, calm, and, sometimes, compromise you never thought you’d see.

So, pick your hills with care. The ones you refuse to die on today might get climbed tomorrow when everyone feels lighter, calmer, and more connected.