According to Madeline Levine, "authoritative parents" make the rules and provide a safe environment in which children can make their own mistakes, learn, and achieve -- making sure they do their math homework, for instance, instead of doing it for them. We also teach by the way we live:
Parents also have to be clear about their own values. Children watch us closely. If you want your children to be able to stand up for their values, you have to do the same. If you believe that a summer spent reading, taking creek walks and playing is better than a specialized camp, then stick to your guns. Parents also have to make sure their own lives are fulfilling. There is no parent more vulnerable to the excesses of overparenting than an unhappy parent. One of the most important things we do for our children is to present them with a version of adult life that is appealing and worth striving for.
Photo: St. John's Church youth group members at their mid-summer dinner
According to Madeline Levine, "authoritative parents" make the rules and provide a safe environment in which children can make their own mistakes, learn, and achieve -- making sure they do their math homework, for instance, instead of doing it for them. We also teach by the way we live:
No comments:
Post a Comment