So the other morning I was watching Good Morning America and a segment came on about “free range” parenting…What????
I always thought that the term “free range” was in regards to meat in a grocery store not parenting. So, the term “free range” is defined by Wikipedia: to allow animals to roam freely instead of being contained in any manner.
I am assuming that free range parenting refers to the same definition but swapping children in for animals, thus meaning to all children to exist freely without being contained in any manner.
Hmmm….this is an interesting topic for me. I really do believe in letting my almost two-year old explore nature, paint, food, etc; however, in order for me to stay sane and for my little dude to stay safe on a daily basis we do have some rules and discipline in our household.
For example: since my little guy was born I have been dreading these words “Time Out!”Even though my little dude is sleeping, just typing the words makes me cringe. What is it? Is it the thought of him really being mad at me while I force him to sit down? Is it that it breaks my heart when he puts on the “sad face?” While I sit here and ponder these ideas, I hear Dr. Phil in the background and it seems to snap me right back into reality. You are probably going huh? Let me explain. I have seen enough Dr. Phil episodes about children who have gone amuck in there adult years. Most parents are shaking their heads and saying they don’t know where they went wrong. Some of the parents can’t figure out why their kid yells at the them the way they do and why they are taken advantage of.
I am certainly not here to say that I “know” more than them but I can certainly see where disciplining now will *hopefully* pay off later. But, sometimes I wonder – Am I doing too much? Too Soon? I worry that without any rules in our house, water would be spilled everywhere, we would paint all the walls in the house, be unable to share with other kids, hit and most importantly have a power struggle within our home. In short, this segment on “free range parenting” has me thinking about if I am prohibiting my little guy from gaining more “street smarts” or learn. But, it seems that no matter which way you “choose” to parent – helicopter or free range, there is always a study or term to let you know that you, yes you, are doing it wrong. So Mamas…weigh in…
Thoughts on free range parenting? Is free range parenting a backlash to helicopter parenting? Best ways to disciplining toddlers? Exploratory learning?