It’s hard to imagine, but some someday, some of us may try to talk our kids’ college professors into a different grade, their employers into higher salaries, and their spouses into doing what we think is “best.” Perhaps you will still be cutting their food into tiny pieces when they’re 24.
This week the Maria Montessori blog warns of the slippery slope of “enablement” that starts in the crib. “Once you start doing for your children what they can do for themselves…The less your child does for himself, the less you think he is able to do. The less you think he is able to do, the less he thinks he is able to do. The less he thinks he is able, the more convincing he becomes to you that he is not.”
The answer? “Just say no. No to alternative dinner choices. No to skipping soccer practice because it is raining. No to calling the teacher to let her know that your son would like her to tell Janie that she is hurting his feelings. No to extra allowance.” This doesn’t mean “no” to love and support, but give your child as many challenges as they can handle.
Read more at http://mariamontessori.com/mm/?p=2452.
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