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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Not all of it is Dora explorer.
Bewitched, Addams Family, Cosby, etc.
Paige
dj
Dj
"Now when I need help, I look in the mirror" ~Kanye West~
I buy & serve fruits & vegetables every week.
Where did I say I didn't?
We do eat quick foods that go from the freezer to oven. Not every night. Didn't say we did. Last night we grilled mahi mahi & we steamed vegs for the side & picked up a watermelon to go with it when we all went to the grocery yesterday.
You misunderstood I'm guessing?
Paige
Maybe she & her dh don't either.
We see no reason to limit either.
Paige
eileen
Then dh & I have couple time for awhile.
Paige
She has always WOHFT. Still does today. I've never known a time when she was not working.
She works at the local hospital.
Paige
While genetics can come into play to a certain degree, to tout an unhealthy lifestyle as acceptable, to raise ones child on a diet heavy in the happy meal department, is irresponsible, imo. Not just as a parent, but as a functioning member of society. What if her dd develops health problems down the road in relation to her poor diet? What if SHE herself develops health problems as she ages (I keep thinking about osteoperosis here) that requires her dd to have to care for her, or requires extensive medical treatment? We cant always help bad things happening, but to KNOWINGLY live this way and not CARE????
Its no different than a pack a day smoker. They certainly have the choice in life to do whatever they want, but do you think it would be acceptable for them to go around saying that there is nothing UNHEALTHY about smoking?????
dj
Dj
"Now when I need help, I look in the mirror" ~Kanye West~
Glad to be back at home & near family.
Think you appreciate them even more when you live far away for awhile.
Paige
Dj
"Now when I need help, I look in the mirror" ~Kanye West~
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