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Parenting Overtime
People are complaining about being confused, even hassled about their roles as parents. They describe an epidemic of not knowing who they are or what they are meant to be as a parent. Are they a cool friend or a good parent?
.jpg "ladywithfruitinkitchen (small)") Some believe a hybrid of both is what should be aiming for.
In regards to time management there has to be a time where children learn how to entertain themselves and give parents the chance to get other things done…and I am not talking about putting them in front of every household’s nanny – the TV!
As writer James Atlas has observed in The New Yorker, “It’s a full-time job being a parent these days. You’re always on.”
Melbourne Parenting educator Michael Grose has seen a major shift in attitudes in the past twenty years.
“The issue when I started out in the 80’s was under-parenting. The big issue now is over-parenting.”
According to Grosse some of us try to be our children’s best friends when really it would be much better if we worked on our role as mum or dad.
He says, “You don’t have to be involved in the minutiae of kids’ lives. You’ve got to give them space.”
I mean really …how many Barbie games can a grown man or woman play with true authenticity? If you are among the gifted few…God bless you…the rest of us are quite happy just knowing what a Barbie doll is!
So take the pressure off yourself a little and don’t compare yourself to others. Children would rather have a non-frazzled parent who puts hot buttered toast on the table than a frazzled one who is trying to cut it into animal shapes!
Next time you are tempted to do something because you feel you have too or because you think it will make you a better parent …take a deep breath and say KISS (keep it simple stupid!) and you will get a beautiful sense of relief and a smile that will delight anyone!
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