Stop deferring to your children

Speaking with a friend who makes keys at a local business, I learned that literally hundreds of parents repeatedly have keys made for their children.

Not just young children, but high school and older, because they repeatedly carelessly lose keys.

This reminded me of a friend whose child was not in school one morning. I asked why, and she said she had to take him to the store for new shoes because he had lost his.

On top of that, he had lost a pair the week before, so this was the second pair she had to purchase within a week.

I suggested she take him to school in his boots or slippers, but, oh no, she couldn't do that, the other kids would laugh.

I told her that in my opinion, that laughter would be just the motivation he needed to learn to remember where he left his shoes.

Sad to say, my remarks fell upon deaf ears (he is now a drop out at 16).

I see it everywhere, parents asking their children what they want to do, do they want to wear their coat in the middle of winter, can I change your diaper?

Parents: if they lose it, make them replace it.

Don't defer to their opinion on everything. Remember, you are the adult and they are children. Your children will thank you for it later.

Nancy Olson

Hanover Park