But for me, it's not as simple. I don't like boundaries. Ok, I like some boundaries, but not super strict ones.Why shouldn't a little one be able to explore something outside their normal boundaries?? In my opinion, if they aren't allowed, they'll do it anyway. Kaiden always asks if he can play with something that he knows he needs supervision for. My child is allowed to do things others aren't. My child is also polite, he's kind, he has manners. And isn't that what we should be more worried about?
He knows he can play with spoons, but not knives or forks. He pretty much has free range with crayons and pencils, but asks to draw with his markers or pens. He loves to get up on the counter/sink and play in the water. I take the opportunity to teach him to turn OFF the water when we are done playing. He likes to go through the cabinets and ask "what's this?" and I take the opportunity to teach him to put things back and learn new words that he otherwise might not learn on a normal basis. He likes to get up on JoJo's desk and go through her toiletries. I take that opportunity to teach him that those things are not for drinking or eating, but deodorant is for your armpits, body spray is for your clothes and make-up is for your cheeks. He likes to put them where they go, too.
So, are my ways a little unconventional, sure. But, he's going to have to learn this stuff sometime, why not now? =)
Like today, he looked at me with that is this okay mama? look when he wanted to climb up on the couch and look out the window and I gave him the it's okay babe look and he went for it. Struggling to get up, but feeling accomplished when he did it. He looked outside at the ice on the trees and ground b/c it's too cold to get out. Him and his doggie, like peas and carrots.
What's the harm, really? Ok, yeah, he could fall and bust his head open!! But, this mama is confident that the next time he wants to do it, he'll ask. You might think I'm naive, but I think that's the good side of having this kind of freedom.
What do you think??
*side note: he wore his monkey pj's to bed, this morning asked for his doggie ones and after his first diaper change, wanted his reindeer ones. ha!
1 comment:
I love this!!!
The original meaning of "discipline" is "to teach." Imagine that. Has gotten a bit lost, hasn't it? I have a very similar approach with D. Sometimes i just plain don't feel like supervising something that he asks for, and I'll say no, but most of the time unless it's something *really* dangerous, I think, "why not?" I figure he is limited in so many ways every single day, hears "no!" so often, I might as well try to say "yes" as I can.
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