November/December 2025 HAWAII PARENT 135 tantrum if their demands aren’t met. As an only child, I made a vow never to give in to my daughters’ demands and teach them that sometimes, their requests won’t be granted. It’s a skill that prepares them for real life when losses will be suffered, plans will fall through, and wishes may not come true. In my book, “Mama’s Gotta Let Go: How to Let Go without Losing Your Sanity,” I dedicated a chapter to creating an obedient child. As every parent learns, no matter how hard you try to make children obey, if they are strong-willed, you will encounter many power struggles through every phase of their life. You politely ask them to eat their vegetables, and you witness every vegetable on the floor, but they kick, scream, and embarrass you. You tell them to say “thank you” for the shirt their grandma gave them, and they scream, “No!” Why should I thank
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