In today’s episode, we dive into a conversation that every modern parent has had at some point — the battle between respecting our kids’ opinions and letting their opinions run the entire household. Somewhere along the line, the balance shifted. Kids went from having a voice to having full control over decisions that they don’t pay for, don’t provide for, and don’t truly understand the weight of. And one of the biggest areas where this shows up is the dinner table.

Growing up, most of us came from homes where our parents cooked one meal for the whole family. That pot hit the stove, and whatever was in it — that’s what everybody ate. No debate. No menu options. No three different dinners because one kid didn’t like onions and the other kid wasn’t “in the mood” for what was cooked. You either ate what the family ate… or you grabbed something simple like a ham sandwich, some noodles, or leftovers if you were truly hungry. But the household stayed in order. The parents set the tone, kept structure, and made sure the home ran smoothly.

Fast-forward to today, and we’re in a generation where kids are opinionated — and rightfully so. They are human beings with feelings, preferences, emotions, and personalities. And we should absolutely respect that. We want our children to feel heard, valued, and understood. But there’s a difference between respecting their voice and handing them authority. When a parent is cooking three separate meals to avoid a child having a meltdown, when kids are dictating where the family eats out, or when the entire household is adjusting to one child’s picky preferences… things start to shift in a way that doesn’t prepare kids for real life.

This episode isn’t about being controlling or ignoring our children’s feelings. It’s about restoring balance. It’s about asking:

When did our kids go from participating in the house to running the house?

And how can we raise confident, expressive children without losing structure, routine, and respect?

We talk about the difference between giving your child a voice and giving them the wheel. We discuss how modern parents sometimes create stress for themselves trying to keep the peace, when sometimes the real peace comes from clear boundaries. We look at how past generations operated and what lessons we can take from them — not to go backwards, but to find the middle ground that makes sense for today’s world.

At the end of the day, kids should feel safe to express themselves. They should feel listened to. But they should also understand that the household doesn’t revolve around them. There’s value in learning to adapt, to try new things, to handle disappointment, and to understand that sometimes life doesn’t cater to your preferences.

This is a conversation about parenting with love, with respect, and with leadership. Because being a parent isn’t just about providing food and shelter — it’s about creating structure, teaching responsibility, and guiding children into adulthood. And that starts with the small things… even something as simple as what’s being served for dinner.

Tune in, tap in, and let’s talk about how we can bring order back into our homes without losing connection with our kids.