Mistakes in Motherhood

Thank you Terri for helping me feel better about my ‘neglectful’ parenting.  Or as you said, I am not neglectful, I am encouraging independence.  Yesterday I felt guilty because my 21 month old son, Matthew, pushed his highchair to the cupboards, grabbed a cup, climbed onto the counter, put his feet in the sink, turned on the water and poured himself a cup of water.  Terri convinced me that by letting my toddler explore his world, he was learning independent play.  Not only does he know mom is available to cuddle and play, but he also knows he can entertain himself and does not need me to amuse him.

Well, I took what she said to heart, and for almost an hour today my baby played by himself in his room.  You know the saying that if they are quiet, they are up o no good?  Well, I went up to check on the quiet baby, and not only was he NOT up to no good, but he was sitting in his room quietly trying to put shoes and socks on, he would then grab a book and read through it, and then go back to playing with his socks.

I guess I have always to a point kind of been laid back with my kids.  I let Matthew navigate stairs very early on with a lot of success, I would say he was 16 months.  With Chris and Austin I was also laid back and let them explore their area.  I would rather put up my breakables and let them have full range, then put it in reach and scold when they touch it.  Now when we are out of the home, I am not so laid back… my older boys are just now getting a wider area to explore.  I never let them play outside unsupervised when they were little.  They are 9 and 10 and I just now let them play on the next block, and ONLY if they have their 2 way radios on.  I guess even laid back mamas have their limits.

In: A lot about nothing | tags: A lot about nothing, Confessions, Parenting, Toddlers. | #