Your cart is currently empty!
Parents: Slow Down and Let Your Kids Be Kids
Dear Parents,
Let me introduce myself: I’m a proud mom of a remarkable 20-year-old. Over the past few years, my son has navigated 18 hospital stays due to severe Crohn’s disease, endured three lifelong infections, dealt with countless medications, faced surgeries including a colon removal, and recently suffered a brain injury from a skateboarding accident.
So, do I have your attention now? Good, though this isn’t the kind of attention I hoped for.
I understand that you believe every decision you make is in your child’s best interest, but I’d like to share some insights I’ve gained through my experiences. I wish I had learned these lessons sooner, and I hope you consider doing the same.
Let Them Explore
First, please stop cramming your child’s schedule with activities like tennis, piano, karate, and whatever else your neighbors’ kids are doing. Children need time to explore, dream, and play without constant pressure to perform. They’re only young for a short time, so let them nurture their natural curiosity at their own pace.
They have time.
College Prep
Next, let’s talk about college prep. Please stop prepping them for college as early as sixth grade. If higher education is in their future, they’ll develop their own path based on their unique talents and passions. They don’t need you to write their essays or force them into volunteer work, part-time jobs, or a mountain of AP classes just for an impressive college application.
They have time.
Allow Their Journey
Also, stop projecting your ideals onto your child’s life journey. Remember, they are not just an extension of you. Each child has their own path to forge, filled with successes and setbacks. Allow them to learn through their failures rather than shielding them from hardship. They’ll come out stronger and wiser on the other side.
They have time.
Gift of Childhood
Finally, let’s not rush them into adulthood. Give them the gift of childhood—let them linger in it a bit longer. Soon enough, they’ll face responsibilities and pressures that come with growing up. So why hurry them into that reality?
They have time.
We live in a world filled with arbitrary timelines and expectations. Who decided these rules? Our children should learn to find happiness and love in an unpredictable world. By slowing down and stepping back from the pressures we impose, they can truly embrace the journey ahead.
They have time.
If you’re interested in parenting tips that resonate, check out this helpful article for more insights. And if you’re looking into home insemination, a reliable source is Make a Mom, which specializes in various methods. For further information, the Cleveland Clinic offers excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
In a world of constant busyness and expectations, it’s vital for parents to remember that children need time to explore, learn, and grow at their own pace. By easing the pressure of over-scheduling and premature preparation for adulthood, parents can allow their kids to enjoy the fleeting beauty of childhood while discovering their own paths in life.