tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post922744062492937881..comments2023-10-23T14:15:29.331-07:00Comments on Shallow Cogitations: Irrational Fear And Rational ThoughtHank Greerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15243840232233423724noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-49659403900047535342009-05-09T08:32:00.000-07:002009-05-09T08:32:00.000-07:00I have great respect for parents who allow their c...I have great respect for parents who allow their children the freedom they need to become self sufficient. I was a free range kid but only because there were so many of us it was impossible to rein us in. Consequently, some mistakes did not result in any "stepping in" until the authorities were involved.<br /><br />My wife and I have had to compromise while raising our children and finding a balance has worked out well.Hank Greerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15243840232233423724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980421295592818922.post-60021709818941416202009-05-08T22:26:00.000-07:002009-05-08T22:26:00.000-07:00Thanks for linking to my post, Hank.
I look at--...Thanks for linking to my post, Hank. <br /><br />I look at--and admire--how much more self-confidence my daughters have than I did at their age. I attribute that partly to having a lot of exposure to the grown-up world through spending time with a working mom in a variety of settings, which I didn't have. <br /><br />I also attribute it to my expectation that they develop the ability to do things for themselves, rather than always having me taking care of things for them. They can get themselves across town using Spokane Transit to go shopping or visit friends, when at their age I was tied to my mom's willingness and availability to drive me places. That shackled HER as well as ME. As a working mom I simply don't have that kind of time and flexibility, so why wouldn't I want them to develop these self-management skills?<br /><br />Yes, they might have an occasional comment directed their way by a stranger (they're both exceedingly cute). And they know how to handle it.<br /><br />I remember a wise parent once saying to me, "It's better to have your kids make their mistakes while they're still living with you and you can step in if it's really out of hand, rather than after they're out of the house." Well, if they're going to be ABLE to make mistakes, they have to be living an actual life in the real world. That means without cotton wool.<br /><br />@BarbChamberlainBiketoWork Barbhttp://www.biketoworkbarb.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com