Don't Allow Fears to Ruin Your Children's Childhood

<u>Show Notes</u>: <p> </p> <p>2 fears are driving parents to push and micromanage their children:</p> <p>the fear that their kids are going to fall behind their peers and not keep up with the Jones’s kids”</p> <p> </p> <p>Fear of how do I prepare my child for a future that is so much different than my experience</p> <p> </p> <p>So, parents fill kid’s schedule with enrichment classes, professional coaching, premier summer sports camps, test prep, early specialization</p> <p>Parents also overfocus on achievement instead of character</p> <p>All of this is telling us something about how we view childhood</p> <p> </p> <p>Childhood is not a race or a contest where parents feel they must mold/ micromanage, motivate child to stay on course we set for them</p> <p>Kids are missing out on knowing themselves and being distracted from what’s really important: getting to know yourself, self-exploration, reflection, contemplation, quiet time, self-awareness, social-emotional intelligence, try different things, take risks, develop self-efficacy, <u>no time to just be!</u></p> <p> </p> <p>GS/HS should be about growing up, learning social-emotional intelligence  skills, autonomy to pursue interests, figure out what you like & aptitude, sample</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>play for plays sake and love of the game</li> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <li>learn for love of learning, service</li> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <li>explore, adventures, challenge yourself</li> </ul> <p> </p> <ul> <li>make decisions based on what’s right for them vs keeping up with the Jones’ kids</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><u>Let kids be kids</u>!  build their own story and make their unique mark on the world (Bobbi Brown story)</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Not allow your parenting to be guided by these fears</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>