Parenting = Setting Limits
October 17th, 2012
by Katrina Brooke
None of the girls in my second grade class wore makeup or short skirts. None of the boys had designer jeans or trendy haircuts. Few of the girls wanted much to do with the boys. I suppose they were smart. Our feelings weren’t hurt. Worms, bugs, and other gross stuff were more fun to play with anyway.
Have you noticed the change? Is it just me, or does it seem a bit premature for kids to be “dating” in elementary school? Am I the only one, or do you also feel a bit uneasy seeing a young girl with all the cosmetic trappings of a hip twenty-year-old? Do little kids really need their own cell phones?
Do little kids really need their own cell phones?
Is this trend mostly the result of kids growing up too rapidly, or is it largely due to the fact that so many adults are reluctant to act like mature adult role models?
It’s tough to learn maturity in a pervasively immature culture.
Ouch!
To be fair, the vast majority of people who take the time to read tips about parenting are making a valiant effort to provide a great example for their kids. I know I’m preaching to the choir! The tough part is that being in the choir doesn’t keep our kids from living in a less than choir-like society.
Listed below are four encouragements for you:
- If you are modeling personally and socially respectful behavior and dress, pat yourself on the back.
- If you set limits such as, “I provide clothing that I feel good about,” you’re part of the solution!
- If you’ve decided that your family doesn’t spend its time watching raunchy junk on TV, I want to thank you.
- If your kids are annoyed with you as a result, you are on the right track!
There is hope for this world! That is, as long as enough of us are brave enough to show kids what it looks like to be men and women of honor.
Learn more tips on this subject from our Ages 7 – 12 Parenting Package.
Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.
Dr. Charles Fay
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