Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Totally Random Tuesday-Child Rearing
In child rearing, the toughest part hasn’t been all of the things I have to do for my children, but all of the things I have to restrain myself from doing for their sakes. In many situations, my mantra has become let them handle it. Sometimes I have to mentally pinch myself to remember that the wisest words I can offer them when they ask my opinion are, “I don’t know—what do you think?”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Truer words have never been spoken, however, most parents enable their children. Your response will help them stand confidently instead of lean on you. Even though we moms are always there! Aren't we?
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, Tammy!
ReplyDeleteIt's instinctive for us to rush in and try to "fix" things for our children. Part of the laws of survival, I suppose. But you are so right. They really must learn to figure things out for themselves!
ReplyDeletePat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com
Gah! I dread this. Both my parents are fantastic at knowing when to say nothing. Me, not so much.
ReplyDeleteI think you all summed it up. I'm NOT always very good at knowing when to back off, which is why I'm sometimes mentally pinched black and blue, but I do try. Hope that counts for something?
ReplyDeleteYou are a very wise woman.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm raising my grandchildren I'm learning how hard it is to say no when I want to say yes and to let go when I want to hold on.
I think you have a good point, Donna--it's one of the few things in life that actually gets harder with practice!
ReplyDelete