Research & prevention vs relaxation
March 6th, 2010Been wondering lately what would result from a study of parenting styles examining the relaxed parent and the informed parent. Now I know SOME people can be both informed and relaxed, but what I mean is, in my efforts to do right by our children I apply sunscreen, wash hands religiously, regulate tv, try and teach manners (need more effort here lately as I was MUCH more willing to allow the kids to jump and climb all over furniture (vacation rental home with Ikea furnishings) and walk about at restaurants while awaiting food then my gentler midwestern cousins …), get safety gear on, predict and prevent falls and bumps of every kind, keep clean etc.
I’m tired of just HEARING myself give warnings and cautionary explanations!
So, I wonder, perhaps if I could relax UNTIL something happened (maybe more so with the running about than with the hand washing) would the kids just make better decisions, listen better, learn from mistakes and enjoy things more?
Or would they just be in harm’s way and be lazy about the good-for-you stuff (eating a variety of foods, reading, learning, exercising, dental hygiene etc.)
wish there were a study. I KNOW for myself I’m likely to stay type A. But maybe once a month we can have no warnings day…
Meanwhile, glad to have been re-unified in the desert (missed Effin though!), glad to be back at the folk’s home, can’t WAIT to have the option to be home at our home. Good health and relaxation to all!