Biting and hitting

[kidlove]

Wow! my stomache began to ache the farther I read into that! you wrote that and you really practice that with your children in your care? i have agreed with you on many things and believe that we (adults) are here to guide children into the correct life BUT WOW! those rules are rediculous, is there anything they can do, not to mention, how do these kids feel after a day of so many "no's!" thrown at them, I'm surprised they play with any toys at all, I think I would just crawl into a corner, and I know I would have a ton of anxiety , worried about making a mistake all the time! I do believe that children should be respectful of toys not throw them or bang on them, not stand on them or break them. but how will they ever learn, if they can't use their imagination as it goes, why can't more than two children play with a kitchen set? if anything they would have to learn to share and compromise. So many life skills are developed in independent play, you cant guide a child and correct a child constantly of mistakes and missteps and expect them to know how to function on their own. I personally find all those rules to be too much and if I were a parent I would run not walk from a meeting with that many stipulations. Children learn through natural play, not controlled play! you have to let them have a toy taken away and feel that emotion, then allow them to work it out, you have to let them get creative with the box or toy car, IF they want it to become a flying space ship who am I to tell them it needs to stay on the ground. IF a child wants to build a skyscraper above his head with pride, who am I to tell him to lower is expectations. "shoulder high, or loose the blocks, tommy" no way....."wow, you built the worlds highest tower, good for you" who knows, he could grow up to be an amazing architect IF you let him explore the limits, if you hinder them to your liking, he will not only be afraid to go farther than others expect of him in life, but he will always be looking over his shoulder to make sure everyone is accepting of his choices and worried he is letting someone down or "breaking the rules".