When did structure become a bad thing?
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| Fri, 07-30-2004 - 8:19am |
We used to live next door to a "no structure" family. The kids ran wild in the neighborhood, the mom never planned dinner so lord only knows if and when the kids ate. Sorry, I don't think that's a good way to live. My kids know we eat dinner at 6:30, so they have to be home.
I can see taht you wouldn't demand that an infant go to bed and wake up at precisely the same time, but is there ever a time to impose structure on a child? So lets say you are the freewheeling type and have always doen things whenever. What happens when you send your child to school where the bell rings at the same time every day?
As far as activities, I realize all kids are different, but when my kids were little, if we just did whatever, whenever, my kids woudl end up grumpy and overtired. My experience is that if say, we were at the beach and I say, oh heck, let's just stay later, the kids woudl be happy at first, but by the days end I would end up with whiny, overtired kids.
Maybe I'm just misinterpreting what I am reading, but I personally think structure is a good thing. When children are small, the structure includes naptimes, mealtimes, etc. As they get older it evolves into boundaries like "be home at 6 for dinner" or "you can't go into soemones house without telling me first". I couldn't imagine living without structure or boundaries for my kids.
Susan

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PumpkinAngel
Like the documentary we watched last night.
Yet, the other 2 comedies we watched among several other things were in no way stimulating. Pure fun only.
I'm sure people find reading stimulating. I hate to read (odd, being a teacher, I know, but hey, it is just who I am). I don't sit down with a 300 page book and read it. I don't find it stimulating at all for me.
I like to sight see very much. But I hate to read. So no, for me, the documentaries on tv or video form are so much more stimulating & far more enjoyable for me.
Tv can be strictly entertainment. Often is here in our home. But it can be stimulating depending on the programming you are experiencing at the time.
Tv is an important part of our evening family time. We do other things, like dh & dd played ball, went swimming, rode bikes, & she was on the trampoline while I was throwing supper together. Including bath time which doesn't take long we are talking a little over 4 hours. We then sat down with the tv to eat & have our nightly tv time.
What do you mean not do something if not fully engaged? Like not the tv on? Why not? As I said, it is habit, one we don't find the wish to quit.
Paige
We don't even eat tacos!
Paige
As we enjoyed yet another great CSI last night I thought about your comment & wondered if you were viewing it also.
Paige, who is waiting impatiently for the new CSI to make it's fall debut (along with the large group of other returning favorites & all new shows).
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When I was a full time nanny....I did everything the way it was directed to me.
PumpkinAngel
PumpkinAngel
I guess I am different in the sense that I can do it with the tv on.
I'm a multitasker. Have to be since I only clean one day a week. Since dh, dd, & I all make only one grocery run a week. Since I WOH. I have to multitask!
I think you are right. Tv helps some & aggrivates others.
Paige
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But what about it was mentally stimulating?
PumpkinAngel
PumpkinAngel
Karen
"A pocketknife is like a melody;sharp in some places,
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