On Being an MJDS Elementary and Middle School Parent: 2 MUST Read Articles
As our children grow up we are faced with increasingly difficult decisions, one of them is finding the balance between supporting their need for independence and confronting our own fears and misapprehensions. New research confirms what we know to be true: children develop self-confidence, self-reliance, independence, and resilience to cope effectively with life's many challenges. New research also tells us that "In an attempt to be the best generation of parents ever that there's emerging evidence that the behaviour of the parents is one that's actually going to accelerate physical problems with their kids in the long run."
Kids Free to Explore and Play are More Healthy
Kids who were allowed at least some time to go out and explore on their own or with friends were between 14 and 19 per cent more physically active than kids who were always supervised. And while adults may have good intentions in protecting kids from potential injury or harm, there's no evidence that such danger has changed over time. You can read and hear about this Toronto based research here.
Parenting Advice from "America's Worst Mom"
We know this sounds like we may be pointing you in the wrong direction, but after you read this article from the New York Times you will understand why we provided you with this link.
Lenore Skenazy, a New York City mother of two, earned the sobriquet "America's Worst Mom" for allowing her younger son, then 9, to ride the subway alone.
The damning criticism she endured, including a threat of arrest for child endangerment, intensified her desire to encourage anxious parents to give their children the freedom they need to develop the self-confidence and resilience to cope effectively with life's many challenges. Read more here.
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