The day a fawn is born, its natural instincts immediately begin kick in. The fawn and its mother have to do everything possible to get the fawn walking (and soon running) just a few hours after it’s born. Why is that? Doesn’t the “mommy” understand that the fawn was just born? She must not really love her newly born fawn! Otherwise, she wouldn’t place such high expectations on it. Of course, it’s just the opposite! The mother understands that her fawn is extremely VULNERABLE and the LONGER he is unable to run from DANGER… The more likely he is to be KILLED! Therefore, the mother takes the necessary steps to ensure her baby is INDEPENDENT from day one!
I love watching Animal Planet because you would be surprised how much you can learn about “parenting” from other species. What I love about animals is that they don’t have all of the distractions (clothes, toys, vacations, the list goes on) that WE have. Therefore, they are usually on point with “their” parenting objective. Which IS to raise a happy, healthy, independent (fill in the species but for US its CHILD). This is also supposed to be OUR objective as well! It sounds simple but WE all know it’s easier said then done!
OUR relationship starts out with them being 100% helpless/dependent on US. BUT it’s only TEMPORARY! WE have to constantly remind OURSELVES of this fact more often, so WE don’t set them up to fail! As parents WE have to continuously “encourage” OUR children to challenge themselves. WE also have to make TIME to TEACH them what they need to know to survive in this world without US.
I’m not talking about making your child grow up too fast or miss out on his/her childhood. I’m just suggesting that WE make more of an effort to make SURE that WE aren’t doing little things for OUR little ones, that they can do themselves! Like wiping the table after a meal, putting dirty clothes in the hamper or putting toys in the toys box. These are small tasks that help them work up to larger tasks (as they get older).
Like animals, each day should be spent preparing them for the day when they are going to be living in “the wild” without US! WE have to help build their skills and confidence (while they are kids) so they will be prepared to deal with all of the twists and turns that are sure to come their way (as adults).
More importantly, WE all make mistakes (especially as children). Therefore, WE need to provide OUR kids with the opportunity to fall on their faces while they have US to catch them. Trail and error has to be apart of their daily lives or WE all suffer. They suffer because they don’t learn and WE suffer because WE end up having to do for them, what they should be able to do for THEMSELVES!
WE have to stop thinking that WE love them so much that WE want to do everything for them! Instead WE have to realize that WE love them TOO much to leave them Vulnerable to the DANGERS of living a Dependant Lifestyle…
So true and its sad that some parents don't make time for parenting in their schedule. They aren't learning parenting skills to better their parenting."Being a parent is the easy job to get yet the hardest to do"(quote from an actor ). Such a true statement and often parents don't take the time to sharpen their parent rearing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sissy for your valuable input!;)
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