Parenting Thought of the Day for August 10, 2007

Don't expect your children to be adults.

Children should be allowed to be free and enjoy themselves.
A few chores are fine, but don't expect them to do everything or to behave like an adult.

Many parents will constantly nag at their children all day long to get things done or to straighten their clothing or tie shoes a certain way.
Where is their play time?

Responsibility should be taught, but the majority of a child's time should be spent learning, exploring, and playing.
Cleanup time for a child should not take up a large portion of the day.

It is one thing to expect a child to pick up normal little messes after themselves and have manners.
It is quite another to expect children to be perfect all the time.

We are only children once and we can never get that back.

Parents, please let your kids just be kids.