"Because I Said So..."

Growing up, I lamented the use of this phrase. It seemed like a parental cop-out to me. Something to be used when there was no real reason to justify the matter at hand. As a parent, however, I'm now started to re-think my position on this.

It all started when I watched the movie, Because I Said So, recently (if you haven't watched it yet, you should - its great.) That got me thinking about the phrase on and off for the past several days. Ultimately, however, I really reached an epiphany during a standoff with my kids over cleaning up their playroom. That was when it hit me - "Because I Said So" isn't a cop-out; its reinforcing the role of parent and establishing respect from your children.

If I tell my children they should do something "because I said so" they should do it (within reason) just because I'm the parent and they're the children. It's an extension of the Bible verse "Children Obey Your Parents..." So while I won't be overusing the phrase, I do think it'll become a part of my vocabulary. :) After all, God also exhorts parents to "not provoke their children unto wrath..." too.