Yeah, they’re maniacs. Yeah, they curse like sailors. Yeah, they talk back.

…to you.

But have you heard this complaint from their teacher? Has another parent come to you and said, “Hey look, this is a problem?”

Because if they haven’t, then maybe you don’t have a problem. Your kids are well behaved…where it counts. They understand that out in the world, out in public, certain norms have to be observed. They understand there are certain things that aren’t appropriate at school or when they’re a guest.

At home though? With the people they trust, who love them unconditionally? They understand that this is a safe place, that you’re a safe person. They’re exhausted behaving at school, on the street, in front of other people. In front of you, they understand they can let their guard down, they can stop pretending, stop observing some silly niceties.

Instead of being upset about that, you should be proud. You should take it as a compliment.