Who Will Teach Your Child?

Remember that your children are their own people. A 20 yr old doesn't know as much as an 80 yr old and a 5 yr old doesn't know as much as his parent, but that doesn't stop anyone from being his/her own person. Remember that, as a parent, it's important to teach a child how to LEAVE the nest and fly on her own. It's important to help them separate, to help them learn what it takes to survive in the adult world, where they won't have the "cliques" that cocoon them in high school. Remember that a parent is a care provider, a disciplinarian, a friend, and a teacher. If the parent doesn't take all of these rolls on then the child will seek out adults who fill those rolls. Will they find adults to fill them to the parents' satisfaction? Will they find "safe" adults to fill those rolls? Don't be a "best friend" to your child, they'll find those on their own. Instead, focus on teaching and learning with your child, then setting them free to discover the rest of the world on his/her own. Remember, above all, the good times and focus on creating good times as they grow. Discipline should always be followed by love.