Many of the best things in life are only good in moderation. This applies to everything we do. Too much food gives us a stomach ache. Too little, and we starve. As we prepare for tests and assignments, too much preparation may cause us to over-stress. The latter can lead to under-performing.
This concept is important to consider when it comes to parenting a child, with freedom varying in different types of situations. Freedom is something that is best in moderation. Just enough to explore oneself and experience consequences, but not enough to be put in serious mental or physical danger.
One clear cut method of parenting is “helicopter parenting”, which has been proven to be inefficient in teaching children to behave and more so successful at teaching them secrecy. Coming from a mixture of both protective and carefree parenting styles can teach a child balance, as well as learning their limits.
Although it is not necessarily a parents “job” to police their child, there isn’t really any rule book or standard to parenting. Much of what we teach our children, as well as the amount of freedom we give, is purely based upon the conditions that we exist in. Freedom given to children is not set in stone, and able to be gifted or otherwise taken away. Although some basic freedoms of food, shelter, and education are non-negotiables, it is truly up to interpretation what each parent decides to allow their child to experience.
So the next time your mom or dad seems overbearing or more carefree than other parents, consider that there is truly no “right” and “wrong” method to doling out freedoms. Give your parents the benefit of the doubt, and understand that many of their decisions are meant to benefit you in the long run.
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Hi Madison
ReplyDeleteI love your post about the limits of parenting. You literally encompassed my exact thoughts on the matter. And in addition to a balance of parenting styles of giving freedom and being strict, every child is also different and some parents have to act differently with each child they have. Great post!
Madison, my opinion is that there should be a balance in parenting, and neither being strict or being carefree is the right option. But I agree that either way we should give our parents the benefit of the doubt, because they had their own experiences in childhood to decide how they'd parent their own children. I believe that many parents should be doing a better job, but I appreciated this take of having compassion for parents who struggle. Good job! :)
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