Discussion»Questions»Family» Parents, regardless of your child's/children's current age, what are some examples he/she/they would cite of you having been overprotective?
No riding with teenage drivers (without my explicit permission every time) in high school.
No dating until 16 (where they left my home with a boy driving a car). The boys were always cool with it; they just camped out at my house.
No hanging out at the mall just because. I let them shop (actually shop) without me but with a friend at around 15. I was usually also in the mall wearing a pager but not always.
Parties were attended when I knew the parents or at least spoke to them on the phone and confirmed they would be present during the party. I actually showed up a time or two so my kids would always know mom might come by while they were there.
When they drove somewhere, I made them call me to let me know they arrived safely. I think this is the one they hated the most.
They used a computer in the den; no computers in bedrooms. I did not let them use their mobile phone at home; it was only for when away from home. They knew I would know every single person they spoke to, whether on the home phone or their mobile phone. I looked at everything they did online too. TV was not an issue as none of us were TV watchers. We did watch videos and DVDs on weekends, but life was too busy for that on week nights.
I never enforced bedtimes. My kids worked hard and were in extra-curricular activities and were ready for bed by eight or nine. In high school I did let them have off days when I sensed they were really tired.....that is a parent's prerogative.
My grandkids are getting that same overprotection. :)
Truth is, when strong boundaries set and shared, it is security for kids. Mine rarely tested them.
I just call it responsible parenting.......and the hardest and most important job any of us will ever do.
This post was edited by Thriftymaid at September 20, 2018 5:03 PM MDT
Jane S and I are in a competition wherein we're each trying to outlive the other: she to ensure that she will win by never giving into me, I'm always holding out hope that if I keep working away at her, she'll eventually come around. So far it's a tie.
~
This post was edited by Randy D at September 22, 2018 1:30 PM MDT
No making gunpowder in the basement. No practicing witchcraft. No venomous pets. No dancing naked outside during thunderstorms. No mooning people from the school bus.
Nitroglycerine is tricky to make. TNT is easier and far less dangerous. Nothing is wrong with them, once one is an adult.
This post was edited by Element 99 at September 20, 2018 5:10 PM MDT
My grandad told me of a 15 year old boy that made five gallons of the stuff in his garden shed in the 1950s..he use to take little bottles full to a close by gravel pit and then lob it in to one and blow it up.... When arrested by the Plod and taken back to his 5 gallon stash ..it was so unstable and volatile they had to vacate all the homes in the area around his home....:(
DOH!
Element 99 