DISQUS

Sarah @ Real Life · 2 years ago

Heather, this is a great point, and wonderfully written. There is a good book called "Parenting with Love and Logic" about teaching your child to learn from natural consequences. And instead of protecting them from every little thing, teaching them how to respond to difficult situations. Here. here.

Priscilla · 2 years ago

Excellent Heather!! I've already seen evidence of this in my nephews & nieces. You did an outstanding job of writing with this piece.

Claire · 2 years ago

So... the shallow life lessons are the deep life lessons?

Priscilla's right. This is an outstandingly written reflection! I can tell that your children are blessed to have a mom who's so concerned for their kidness.

And it also makes me want to have kids. But that's going to have to wait. I have to get my MFA, a wedding, and a cat first...

Debbie · 2 years ago

I see evidence of this in the high school where I work. Because many parents do not teach their children to "suffer the consequences", we are seeing thousands of students with little understanding of what it means to be accountabile for their actions. Schools are burdened with the task of teaching moral values. We are also required to push them to excel in the academics so they can meet the standardized criteria set forth by the "No Child Left Behind Act." This leaves little room for creative teaching. My colleagues and I fear that we are seriously crippling the next generation. Education is NOT the same.

Jeff · 2 years ago

As a new dad, I've gotten a ton of great parenting tips and ideas from http://www.dadlabs.com. It's a fantastic resource; I really highly recommend it.

ded · 2 years ago

Shape the child according to his or her bent. Who cares what anyone thinks? Challenge your kids by comparing him or her to him or herself. Reality is not bad.