“At some point, your kids may attempt to seize control. Sometimes overtly. Sometimes covertly. That's what kids do. It's what you did. When that tension begins to characterize your relationship with one of your children, remember, they don't really want control. They don't really want to be in charge. They're attempting a coup they secretly hope fails in the end. So remain seated. Don't abdicate your unique position.” - Andy Stanley

“Your refusal to play the role of friend will pave the way for an adult friendship down the road. Your refusal to change your mind in the face of their tirades will be appreciated, applauded, and perhaps emulated later.” - Andy Stanley

“You're in a relationship with your kids, but it is not the same relationship. If your north star is a mutually satisfying relationship with your adult children someday, don't abdicate your role along the way. Standing your ground will create tension. Choose to live with it. Learn to manage it. Don't attempt to eliminate it. Just as tension is required to build physical strength, the unavoidable tension between parents and their children builds relational strength. Resolving it now will cost you later.” - Andy Stanley

“Monica was overprotective… she constantly coddled Trey and excused every poor behavior with, "Oh, he's so tired," or "Well, that wasn't his fault because…” Her coddling followed him into his school years, with Monica being every teacher's worst nightmare. A bad grade? She marched down to the school to explain why Trey deserved a higher score. A fight on the playground? "Not his fault… Monica was a helicopter mom before we had a name for it. The older Trey got, the worse his offenses became. But Monica and Steve never let Trey experience the consequences of his behavior. By high school they were running interference between him and the law… Here's what I learned: Providing a buffer between our kids and the natural consequences they should experience is a gross disservice to them. …don't deprive them of their chances to learn from their mistakes.” - Sandra Stanley, Page 50