Do your parents ever seem like they are trying just to annoy you? Do not feel that way! What they are trying to do is prepare you for the real world! I know, you have heard that a million times. Well, actually think about that. Whenever your parents punish you, they are actually trying to help you. Yeah, I said actually twice. But that is how this entire book goes. Actually this. Actually that. Because life is full of surprises, so you get to say actually in your thoughts every once in a while. Now, let us go back to the point. Your parents love you more than anything. You know those special things that you are not allowed to touch because they are so important to mom and/or dad? They love you 1,000,000 times as much as that. If they lost that, yeah, they would be sad, but if they lost you, they would be miserable for years after. Think about that for a minute. Think if you were the parent. You made a person! They came from your very blood! Wouldn’t you love them more than anything? Yeah, you would, wouldn’t you? Your parents are the same. They want the best for you. When they punish you, they are not trying to be mean! They want to prepare you for the real world. They are probably sad and unwilling sometimes when they have to punish you for something you did wrong. Think about that next time you get punished. Think about how your parent does not like to hurt you. Actually, they are sad that they have to do such a thing. They are just obeying God’s commands, though. Actually, if a parent doesn’t punish their child when their child does something wrong, they do not love their child. Now, I am not saying that whenever you do something wrong, and your parent only gives you a warning, that means that they do not love you. That is definitely incorrect. If they give you a warning, great! Good for you. If they do not, great! Good for you. A saying goes like this: It will all come out in the wash. That means that, after all, everything from the beginning will end up part of the end. I am saying that here because when your parents punish you, it influences you, which prepares you for the great big world. It prepares you for when you get into the real world and you have to be responsible. They also prepare you for everything else, including honesty, respect, and kindness. Your parents will know that they have done a good job when you are well acquainted with these traits, as you set out for a life of your own. They will be proud if you do what they told you in the beginning. So stay on track, listen, and obey, the first time. This is called first-time obedience, which will make for extremely happy parents. So, in the end, always do what is needed, no matter if you like it or not.