Folks, it's been a while.
Half a year flew past, eh? I see and mentally note so much on a daily basis and this is something I've been meaning to write about for a long time.
I see way too many parents these days rushing to cushion their child's life from every angle. So much so that the child does not know what's disappointment, or does not know how to react to rejection or the word 'NO'. Yes, this is happening for real.
Now. I'm all for happy childhoods. Every child deserves a happy and secure environment where they are free to be themselves. Free to be the cheekiest, corniest, craziest version of themselves.
At the outset, I'll be honest. I'm not super perfect mom. Quite far from it by the way.
Yes, my children know how it feels to NOT get their way all the time. They are in multiple scenarios even at home on a weekly or a monthly basis where they realize that a mild level of rejection or disappointment is normal.
Don't fight your child's battles for them. Let them figure out their little strategies for themselves. They'll thank you for it later.
Accountability is the other thing.
Mommies and daddies - make your child accountable for their daily chores or decisions. For example: In our home, my children know to look at their timetable and ensure their PE kit or swimming kit is packed the previous night. Yes, even my 6 year old.
They do realize that if they forget their kit due to laziness then mom i.e Me, is not going to get into emergency mode and go rushing home to pick and deliver the kit in question.
One main reason why they should learn the basics of accountability is because we parents won't be around to help them forever. And such children who are mollycoddled at home, do end up floundering when thrown into the big bad ocean by themselves because they don't have these basic life skills.
Today's responsible child is tomorrow's sorted adult.
Let your child face life's little situations at a tender age. If possible, share stories with them about children who are not from privileged backgrounds and who have to take life in their stride everyday. Let them understand the value of working hard for something and then receiving the rewards.
It's our duty as parents to empower our children by giving them opportunities to develop basic soft skills, and not decapacitate them by doing everything for them.
Half a year flew past, eh? I see and mentally note so much on a daily basis and this is something I've been meaning to write about for a long time.
I see way too many parents these days rushing to cushion their child's life from every angle. So much so that the child does not know what's disappointment, or does not know how to react to rejection or the word 'NO'. Yes, this is happening for real.
Now. I'm all for happy childhoods. Every child deserves a happy and secure environment where they are free to be themselves. Free to be the cheekiest, corniest, craziest version of themselves.
At the outset, I'll be honest. I'm not super perfect mom. Quite far from it by the way.
Yes, my children know how it feels to NOT get their way all the time. They are in multiple scenarios even at home on a weekly or a monthly basis where they realize that a mild level of rejection or disappointment is normal.
Don't fight your child's battles for them. Let them figure out their little strategies for themselves. They'll thank you for it later.
Accountability is the other thing.
They do realize that if they forget their kit due to laziness then mom i.e Me, is not going to get into emergency mode and go rushing home to pick and deliver the kit in question.
One main reason why they should learn the basics of accountability is because we parents won't be around to help them forever. And such children who are mollycoddled at home, do end up floundering when thrown into the big bad ocean by themselves because they don't have these basic life skills.
Today's responsible child is tomorrow's sorted adult.
Let your child face life's little situations at a tender age. If possible, share stories with them about children who are not from privileged backgrounds and who have to take life in their stride everyday. Let them understand the value of working hard for something and then receiving the rewards.
It's our duty as parents to empower our children by giving them opportunities to develop basic soft skills, and not decapacitate them by doing everything for them.
