Overguiding Our Children?

Merika · 10-05-2004, 04:24 PM

Mondo brought out such a good point about the negative events in our life shaping us into what we ultimately become until I was wondering about this:

If we, as parents or future parents, valiantly charge into our children's life in persuit of protecting them from the pains of life...are we being:
over protective,
rightfully caring,
subconsciously trying to MOLD them
or just refusing to stand back and let them evolve into who they are destined to be by making their own mistakes?

Okay...so the options are REDUNDANT! Pick one anyway.

Duke · 10-06-2004, 07:41 PM

Made it a poll ;-)

I picked the last one because it's what I believe we all do, whether we know it or not. It would be interesting to see what my daughter choses though.

Merika · 10-06-2004, 08:49 PM

My parents were much more protective and 'molding' than I have ever tried to be with my kids. I pretty much let my kids pick their own paths...I'm not very strict or over bearing.

As I've said in a previous post, I'm not sure I always agree with myself. Sometimes I wish I would've been a little stricter when they were younger.

Duke · 10-06-2004, 10:41 PM

Conversly though, sometimes I feel I was too strict with my daughter. I think being a good parent has a lot to do with never being truly comfortable with what you're doing and always trying to do the best you can for your children. People who are secure about all of their parenting skills, and who seem to know it all are the ones who have no idea what their children are thinking.

Star · 05-26-2005, 12:15 PM

I chose over-protective. I've always been this way with my kids and I think I always will be. I was always so afraid of them getting hurt or stolen that I kept them close to my apron strings while they were growing up. Living out in the country and raising the kids there helped to put those fears at rest also. Most mothers that I know that are close to me are over-protective as well. This world is super scary now so we go overboard sometimes to keep our kids safe from harms way.

I don't want to mold them into me because I've always wanted them to be more then what I've become in life. I want more for my girls then being a stay at home mom with no career.