There's a kind of terror inherent in parenting. Your children, that you love more than yourself, more than anything, that are the future to you - are in your hands. And you think, what if I get it all wrong, what if it's already too late. You wonder how life can even go on but you know it has to. And most of the time you have to just know that you are doing your best and maybe that means it's ok to let yourself off the hook when you screw up. But I have a lot of nights where I wonder if I the choices I made for them are correct and I get so scared that it's all wrong.
3
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.
I understand. When I was young, I remember seeing a letter that said...""the world is so filled with hate, everything is going downhill, who are we to trust, should I bring children into this world, etc." The letter was dated 1865. My point is: the world is always filled with good and bad. I do my part to make it better. It's all I can do.
DevraisA1
Level 7
July 2, 2018
2
As parents, we make mistakes. Please forgive yourself, and try again the next day.
Things we say are like balloons: we can reel it in, apologize and try again. We had a lot of "do-overs" for both parents and child.
As a parent, my goal was for my daughter to feel loved and secure. I wanted her to feel confident. Athletic activities help girls develop confidence, and feel their bodies are useful and strong, not just an ornament on some guy's arm.
We taught our daughter self-responsibility. Not to play victim. If she fought wearing a jacket, let her feel cold at recess or stay inside. Natural consequences.
Of course we set rules, like wearing a helmet while horse riding, bicycling, downhill skiing and sledding.
Now 28, Claire talks about how we taught her self-responsibility. Many of her contemporaries have parents who constantly rescued them. These young people blame others when they screw up. They struggle in college and work. Many still live with their parents.
LiterateHiker
Level 9
July 2, 2018
3
Loved this.
@kmdskit3
Thank you.
@LiterateHiker Just today an article about the kids going to College and how they cannot adjust to changes,as their Parents were the "Helicopter" type,always hovering,doing thing for them,the kids never learned from failures,or how to correct problems in their lives.
@Louise1920
Thank you. I agree about "helicopter parents" who constantly rescue their children.
@LiterateHiker One day(as it will happen to all of us)the Parents will be no more,I would hope by then the "Rescued" children would find their way,and learn,the world is not wrapped in sponge rubber,but will teach those unprepared, some strong lessons.....
I think kids are going to be who they are, no matter what you think they should be. Usually they rebel and go the opposite direction of their parents, but at least the grandchildren will rebel against THEM and like to run around with the grandparents.
birdingnut
Level 8
July 2, 2018
0
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.