Oh boy. this column hits me. I know helicopter parents, buddy parents, authoritarian parents, the child-should-be-seen-and-not-heard parents, the child-shouldn't-be-seen parents, the I-don't-care-what-you-do-as-long-as-i-don't-get-inconvenienced parents. It's a wonder society has advanced at all.
My great grandfather came over from Sicily at 16 -- by himself. Most people don't trust their kid to go run an errand for them. Normal is definitely a myth in my book. But I do think teaching them about respect - for people, property, themselves, is key.
Respect is so important, and the best (IMHO) way to teach it is to model it. Respect ourselves, respect our children and their property, as well as those around us. Eastern societies have so much mutual respect built into them, between generations, going both directions.
Your writings are deLIGHTful....thank you. Nigel ......teaandzen.org
Oh boy. this column hits me. I know helicopter parents, buddy parents, authoritarian parents, the child-should-be-seen-and-not-heard parents, the child-shouldn't-be-seen parents, the I-don't-care-what-you-do-as-long-as-i-don't-get-inconvenienced parents. It's a wonder society has advanced at all.
My great grandfather came over from Sicily at 16 -- by himself. Most people don't trust their kid to go run an errand for them. Normal is definitely a myth in my book. But I do think teaching them about respect - for people, property, themselves, is key.
Respect is so important, and the best (IMHO) way to teach it is to model it. Respect ourselves, respect our children and their property, as well as those around us. Eastern societies have so much mutual respect built into them, between generations, going both directions.