Friday, January 16, 2009

Parenting Philosophy

I'm reading a book called Scream Free Parenting. I would like to learn to do a better job with my kids, especially Macey. I LOVE Macey. But I do not love her tantrums.

In Chapter One the author talked about how many years ago kids were expected to be seen and not heard. The author alleges that we have gone to a new extreme where kids are our entire lives -- their homework, their soccer practices, etc., and we just become fancy drivers from activity to activity. He believes that we need to find something in the middle where we take care of our kids and ourselves.

So, where is the middle ground, and how do you find it? And avoid the guilt?

3 comments:

Heidi Totten said...

I'm a big believer that kids need boredom in order to be creative. What kid needs to be creative if you hand them all of the stuff they should use and tell them how to do it? I don't feel guilty about it. My mom raised me by herself and I was an only child. I had to learn to do things on my own. I have deliberately kept my kids from anything but preschool until they are older and can figure out for themselves if they want to do it. I see all around me how kids are pushed into soccer, football, t-ball, gymnastics, dance, etc. when they aren't even three years old!

I started working from home a year and a half ago so that my kids could learn the value of hard work and so I could set an example for them that sometimes you have to make sacrifices. They are now pretty good about helping me out with that (they are 3 and 5).

Sorry - soapbox! :) I just feel that it isn't necessary to plan for kids - they will let you know when/if they are ready. Keep them kids as long as possible!

Grammy T said...

It's called being a grandparent! :)

Tina said...

I used to have a parenting philosphy . . . I haven't commented yet because I've been trying to remember what it is!!! Then I realized that all of my philosophy's got proven wrong, and so they had to be thrown out! Just be your best, and do your best in the end, that is all you have :)