Who’s the boss here?

It’s a rhetorical question I frequently ask my kiddo, Jack. He often knows what he wants (whether it's good or bad for him). As his parent, it’s my job to keep him in check and be a strong leader so he can learn and grow.

This dynamic got me thinking about how I run my own life. Maybe I should ask this same rhetorical question of myself. Is the wiser (parent-like) part of me in charge right now? Or is a less discerning (childlike) part in the driver’s seat? 

When I make decisions in the interest of my 'future self' (e.g., me an hour, a day, a year from now), I'm usually operating from my wiser self. When I make decisions that feel good now (but bad later), I'm usually acting from the childlike version of me. 

The cool thing is, I'm the boss here. I get to decide who's in charge.