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2008-10-02 2:32 PM

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Pro
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Subject: Responsible parenting or Over protective?

In your opinion, where is the line between responsible parenting and being over protective?

Yes, I know it's a fine line.



2008-10-02 2:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?
Good question and I'm not even going to pretend to know the answer!
2008-10-02 2:44 PM
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?

Hehe, well here's an excerpt of my response to another thread that probably prompted you to open this one:

For me as a parent it is more about what level of risk I can live with.  At what point, if something were to happen, can I look at myself in the mirror the next day and say, "I did everything I was supposed to do."  For a parent that is probably the most significant question.  If you do what you think is reasonable and your kid still gets hurt or, god forbid, killed, can you look at yourself in the mirror and say "I can live with myself."

If, on the other hand, you have a significant degree of discomfort with a situation but you allow it to happen anyway and your kid gets hurt.  Well, that's a degree of emotional scarring I'm not willing to live with.

Does that mean I think that people who have higher or lower risk tollerences then me are "lousy parents"?  Nope.  They just do it differently.

2008-10-02 2:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?
Wow, tough one.  Over-protective parenting is kind of like pornography ... I can't tell you exactly what it is, but I know it when I see it.
2008-10-02 2:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?

Kids are bubble-wrapped way too much these days.  My wife's brother and his wife follow their kids around like porcelain dolls.  Kids are resilient.  Part of life is falling on your face literally and figuratively but that's how you learn some of the best lessons in life.

My daughter who is a great and fairly responsible kid at age 10 is having a rude awakening this school year.  She lost a homework sheet the other night and after being penalized at school for some other careless items she forgot. She was quite upset.  She couldn't find the sheet and knew she would have to pay the price the next day.  It broke my heart to hear her crying in her room it upset her so much.  As much as I wanted to call that teacher and let her know how upset my daughter was I forced myself to let her take her medicine without intervention.  The emotion she felt in her room that night is hopefully one she will be motivated to never feel again by being ultimitely responsible.

2008-10-02 3:00 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?

it's right here

 

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2008-10-02 3:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?

Oh, and if my son doesn't get hurt from time to time on the football field, he's probably not trying hard enough.  We had knock down games when I was a kid all the time.  I had black eyes, hurt knees, etc. but it was a part of being a kid and toughing up some.  Much of the time kids would be just fine in a number of ways if parents just got the heck out of the way.

That being said, we always know where the kids are, what they are doing and who they are with.  Their exposure to outside influences is utterly crucial and another topic altogether.

2008-10-02 3:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?
Part of my job as a parent is to teach my kids what pain, loss and disappointment feel like. They also need to learn how to handle each in a respectful manner.

Another part of my job as a parent is to teach my kids was joy, winning, and satisfaction feel like. They also need to learn how to handle each in a respectful manner.
2008-10-02 3:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?
wildee - 2008-10-02 4:01 PM

Oh, and if my son doesn't get hurt from time to time on the football field, he's probably not trying hard enough.  We had knock down games when I was a kid all the time.  I had black eyes, hurt knees, etc. but it was a part of being a kid and toughing up some.

Ah, that explains alot.  Too many blows to the noggin' when you were a kid. 
-----> ;-) <------

2008-10-02 3:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Responsible parenting or Over protective?
Fatdoggy - 2008-10-02 3:07 PM
wildee - 2008-10-02 4:01 PM

Oh, and if my son doesn't get hurt from time to time on the football field, he's probably not trying hard enough.  We had knock down games when I was a kid all the time.  I had black eyes, hurt knees, etc. but it was a part of being a kid and toughing up some.

Ah, that explains alot.  Too many blows to the noggin' when you were a kid. 
-----> ;-) <------

You got that right!

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