Should I run after my kids all day at the family reunion because my mom says to?

1. 52

   SDelane25posted 13 years ago

   Should I run after my kids all day at the family reunion because my mom says to?
   
   From the time we arrived at the family reunion to the time I left, she kept after me about running behind my kids. Why should I run behind my kids if all the kids are running around playing and having fun shouldn't mine be allowed to be free to run around and play freely as the other children are? As long as I keep an eye on them, what's the big deal?

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2. 54

   Epexionposted 13 years ago

   By running after your children instead of letting them interact with other kids you would be limiting their growth as individuals. Which is probably something you wouldn't want to do. Letting them run around while maintaining a watchful eye on them will help them so much more in the long run rather than chasing after them or limiting their interaction with other kids. So I have to side with you on this one.
   
   But it seems to me mostly that that person would be an overprotective parent, which isn't bad as long as she cuts the strings during crucial growth periods, I'd say around early teens and then again whenever the child is in his late teens. It's all subjective though and depends wholly upon the situation.
   
   Just my two cents, good luck though.

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3. 60

   MickSposted 13 years ago

   Let children be children, how can they grow into well rounded adults if they are not allowed to play and run?   However, if they are naughty, they must be brought under control, that also helps to build well rounded adults.
   You are right to let them run free, and you are right to keep an eye on them.  Only you know if you control them, I hope so, and are not one of those parents who see their children misbehaving and laugh at them, treating it as a joke, that doesn't turn children into responsible adults, it just develops spoilt brats.

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4. 0

   Chasukposted 13 years ago

   That depends. Are your kids well-behaved, requiring little attention, or are they the types of kids who are constantly getting into things that they shouldn't, who stray too near busy roads, who don't return home at appointed times, who journey too far away, who can't be trusted near pools, who fight, spit, throw rocks, who break things and then lie about it, who tease, who steal, who bully, or who coax others into mischief?
   
   If your answer is "no" to most of these questions, then have words with your mother. If the answer is "yes" to more than just a few of them, then listen to her.
   
   "But my children deserve to play!" shouldn't be used as an excuse for bad parenting. I'm not accusing you of being a bad parent, but I don't know you, your kids, or your mother.

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