Because I want my child to avoid my mistakes and personal shortcomings.
But I’m gradually learning that sometimes parenting is less about intervening and more about letting. . .
Letting my sweet boys dig in the dirt.
Letting my toddler eat chili with his hands while he dons a new shirt.
Letting my little ones hold worms and frogs and snails.
Letting them “organize” their toys in a way that differs from my preferences.
Letting my three-year-old brush his face teeth by himself.
Letting my boys [sometimes and gently] disagree with one another.
Letting them make mud pies.
Letting my son make his bed without my subsequent improvement.
Letting my three-year-old make his own peanut butter and jellies.
So much of parenting is about intervening.
But maybe we need to make space to stand down.
Maybe the most hands-on parenting we can do is sometimes hands-off.
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Family Doctor to Parents: Your Parenting Is Hurting Your Kids
