Sam, I agree with Ann. Your sentiments about children and child rearing are really nice. Especially the part about children learning by example. The one small difference I have with you concerns this statement:
<<Tell them you trust them and your only request is to never do anything that might shame or embarass mommy or daddy.>>
Children, especially teenaged children, will probably end up doing something someday that shames or embarrasses mommy or daddy. To keep the communication open and honest, and much more importantly, to keep my child safe even if she makes a huge mistake like getting drunk or doing drugs, or ending up in a situation where a drunk would have to drive her home, or getting pregnant, I remind her frequently that we will ALWAYS help her in any way that we can, and that she should always call us for help if she needs us to come and get her, any place, any time, and that there is no mistake or misjudgment on her part that we cannot guide her in solving. |
