I've always taught my children to respect their elders. I also needed to teach them to speak up for themselves.

The author, Sana Sheraz, reflects on how her views on respecting elders have changed as a mother. She initially thought staying silent was part of respect, but now sees the importance of teaching her children to speak up for themselves respectfully. Growing up, she learned that respecting elders meant listening without arguing, staying quiet when adults spoke, and accepting criticism. However, she realized that she also needed to teach her children to speak up when others made them feel uncomfortable.

Sheraz shares an experience where her niece, who is four years older, made comparisons between her daughter and her sister's daughter. This made her daughter become quieter and question the lesson she had learned. Sheraz realized that her teaching of respecting elders should not make her children believe that someone's age automatically makes every comment acceptable.

She wanted to teach her children that they could stand up for themselves without being rude, disagree without being angry, and explain their points without judging others.

The author emphasizes the importance of teaching children to stand up for themselves while still respecting elders. She believes that respect should go both ways and that children should not be made to feel inferior just because they are younger. Sheraz acknowledges her own failure in acknowledging her daughter's compromised space and apologizes to her for not recognizing it. Ultimately, she wants her children to be respectful, kind, and confident, knowing that respect does not mean accepting emotional harm.