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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Maybe you can explain why everyone is criticizing Paige. ARe you going to say you've never been guilty of any of the things Paige does? I can't imagine, despite the comments here, that any of us is in a position to criticize. Rather, it seems everybody here is criticizing, very few admit watching more than an hour or 2 of tv and everyone is nice and skinny. That has just not been my experience IRL, nor the experience of everyone else in America...who does not post on these boards!
additionally, he always asks the kids about what kinds of activities they're in, how often, tell about their friends, etc.
he knows us as a WHOLE family -- not just a health blob.
eileen
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Because it's one thing to say, "We watch too much TV, we don't always eat healthfully, we don't get enough exercise, but we're aware of the benefits of limiting TV, good nutrition and adequate exercise."
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Like Paige, I am "active," not sedentary, as I usher 3 pre-schoolers to different activities throughout the day. However, I do not consider myself one who exercises on a frequent enough basis. My weight problem stems from what eating too much, not being sedentary.
One of the highlights of our last vacation was an amusement park which had a "SpongeBob 3d" movie. The seats move to put you in the movie. I'm afraid Joey would be too small for the height requirements, but other than that, your guys would absolutely love it.
Hmmm, see, Bailey's is not my favorite. Kahlua, that might do the trick. ;-)
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