tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664760701202151470.post2826389999365820789..comments2023-11-01T19:05:00.474-07:00Comments on Mark's Work: "Anything Goes, But Don't Blink, You Might Miss"Mark O'Neillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16295762252612104201noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664760701202151470.post-27544948931994364332012-01-14T11:31:26.174-08:002012-01-14T11:31:26.174-08:00Heavens to Murgatroyd! I wanted to clarify someth...Heavens to Murgatroyd! I wanted to clarify something that just occurred to me. Discipline being easy, does not translate to raising kids being easy. I do not know if that thought came through in the piece. Thanks for your observations. <br />Michelle: It's so all about perspective.<br />S. Stauss: Your comment is the one that made me want to make the disclaimer that discipline is only one of a thousand aspects of successfully raising kids.<br />JT: It sounds as though we have to be willing to trust our kids to live by the principles they are taught, and yes, relax. Both of your kids are radiate confidence and initiative. And what a meal on the 26th. What more can you ask?Mark O'Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16295762252612104201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664760701202151470.post-12539472612802162212012-01-14T10:28:17.920-08:002012-01-14T10:28:17.920-08:00S. Stauss, -- I NEVER felt as if I was doing my...S. Stauss, -- I NEVER felt as if I was doing my best in the arena of child rearing. I was too cognizant of the fact that this was THE most important work of my life and I was not going to fail them. But the flip side to that was I now believe I took it TOO seriously. In retrospect, if I could change things, I would lighten up more. Take more time to play and less time to deal with chores, more time to just chill instead of having to "do something". In general, I would be , frankly, kinder to MYSELF, cut myself more slack and acknowledge that I am doing the best I know how. Had I been kinder to myself, I might have had more fun. Don't get me wrong - my son and daughter are good people - responsible, caring, respectful, but my son especially has my more serious nature and I feel sorry for him! Meg knows how to play more and she encourages that in me. <br />Just saying...... :)Graciewildehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00142582724233027386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664760701202151470.post-45412496294893423322012-01-14T10:20:57.028-08:002012-01-14T10:20:57.028-08:00Michelle, I think you are nailing it there. Kids ...Michelle, I think you are nailing it there. Kids don't need or want control of all things big. They need and want adults to set the boundaries and lay out the rules so they know they are safe. Having choices within that framework gives them appropriate power, confidence, and and buy in. Te tough thing for me as a middle school counselor is seeing kids who are "feral children" - meaning there is no adult in their home world who is willing to take charge and do the tough work of real parenting.Graciewildehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00142582724233027386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664760701202151470.post-30598977607297988242012-01-13T17:29:53.142-08:002012-01-13T17:29:53.142-08:00In the arena of child-rearing (and so many other t...In the arena of child-rearing (and so many other things), I never feel as though I'm doing my best. I often feel that my kids are doing the best they can, given the mother they have to work with. <br /><br />Thank you for this thoughtful post. I think if I were in a room full of 37 middle schoolers it would turn into "Lord of the Flies" pretty quickly.TangledLouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771682524596744447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5664760701202151470.post-29191288850550687412012-01-13T12:05:47.862-08:002012-01-13T12:05:47.862-08:00We set boundaries for our kids, but then let them ...We set boundaries for our kids, but then let them have choices and decision making on so many of their own little details. I should say, details that seem little to me, but actually hold great importance to them. So far, it's working out great!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05754778263332756663noreply@blogger.com