59 sats \ 7 replies \ @DesertDave 7 Apr \ on: What do you like about your kids? meta
My kids are such a blessing and they have taught me so so much. I don't even know where to start. My son is a lot like me. He's 15 and ready to love a nomadic life out of his truck with a dirt bike strapped to the back. By daughter is a musical genius and knows how to keep herself entertained now matter what. It's crazy to see them grow up and have so much in common and also be so unique.
We never need to argue with our children. I never have once in 16 years, punished or yelled at my kids. Make them your friends. Explain your point of view. Allow them to have theirs. Treat them like adults and they will respect and love you for it.
Thanks for the post. 💚
Make them your friends. Explain your point of view. Allow them to have theirs. Treat them like adults and they will respect and love you for it.
When my kids were very young, I was talking to an older father and saying: "how do you know when your kid is old enough to do thing X Y or Z" and he said "when they're old enough to successfully argue the case for it"
I took that advice and its served me well. When your 6 yo ask you to ride his bike to a friends house (in which he needs to cross a busy street) you can tell him "No its not safe". However, as he grows he may come back at 8 and say "Dad, I can ride my bike to Jimmys because I will cross at Elm street where there is crosswalk and light, and I promise to look both ways before I cross..."
Now your kid is old enough to do it and you should let him. Because he has demonstrated that (a) he understands your concerns, and (b) he has formulated a plan to accomplish what he wants to do while taking your concerns into account. This is ultimately what you want in a young person so it should be rewarded.
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Makes sense. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for. I always do my best to be trusting, even when my parental extinct is to protect. My son recently started riding dirt bikes. It has been a lot of work for me on trust him not to hurt himself. And he has been doing great.
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That's a really good point. I think it is interesting that there are things that we fear so much but yet we will all drive a car which is inherently quite dangerous. All we can do is be as mindful as possible. We can't control much.
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Thank you for your second paragraph. Wise words I will hold dear to my heart.
I gotta say, is your family out there with you in the desert or are you enjoying a solitary existence?
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I am out here with my wife. My 2 kids mostly stay with their mom. But I being my son out here often. And we have a family of dogs. And a Kittie. So not truly isolated. I have a little tribe.
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You remind me of the Swiss Family Robinson haha
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