Is it wrong to force a child to do what you know is good for them? I have a child who doesn't like food. I generally go with the flow, he is not starving, and he easily drinks 1/2 gal of milk a day....but one meal a day, I monitor, and make sure he eats everything on his plate. He hates that. I have another guy who just isn't physical. He loves to swim, but outside of that, he doesn't move voluntarily. If I say, "Go outside and play!", I will find him laying in the grass playing some "make up a story game" with his friends/brothers. He needs to be pushed to play sports, dragged to the playground, it is sooooo frustrating. My oldest has had to be forced to do every single thing he loves in his life. Confusing I know. I'll explain. He didn't want to play football in high school. We gave him no choice, he had to try-out. Much to his dismay (and pride) he made the team. He started freshmen year at a new high school (not where his friends from Middle school were going) of over 3000 students, with a group of buddies to watch his back. He had instant cool factor, and fit in pretty easily. We then suggested he try wrestling for the winter. "Not interested, can't make me, I am fine." (never say , "can't make me" to your mother, especially if her name is Victoria Rhodes) I encouraged my husband to email the coach to express William's interest, as try-outs had passed. Next day, the coach brought William down to the wrestling room to take a look at him, and he is the next Heavy Weight hopeful-- coach has hopes of City championships dancing in his eyes. William loves wrestling. He made fantastic friends, really good kids. He likes it so much, he didn't want to play football this year. My other guy Jack has enough self drive for 10 kids, so he just needs my support, not my PUSHING. I do push them. I try to explain my motives along the way. Thankfully my oldest gets it, he can see a track record, that yes, Mom occasionally does know best. My younger son, the one who hates sports (or at least all sports that require equipment, and running in the heat), is not really feeling the love yet. I am trying to open my mind, and think out of the box. I don't want to shove my agenda down his throat, but I want him to embrace a healthy, active life style. I am sure no matter how I handle things, it will be a therapy topic down the road, so I might as well do what feels right.
Summer is a wonderful time if you have the luxury to stay home with your kids and enjoy the slower pace. Lazy days, pool time, reading, outings, and spending time at the beach is good for the soul. If you are a parent who keeps your kids home with you vs. sending them to camp--- there is also a dark side to the lazy days of Summer. I know many Moms who say loud and proud, "I can't wait till Summer!! Oh yeah! Only 3 more weeks!!, Oh no! It's over already! We need a few more weeks!!" Are you one of those? Do you say it with a straight face? Ok, maybe you are sincere. Bully for you, you win the Mom medal. Those are NOT my people. I love my kids, don't get me wrong, I really do. I love reading time, and lego time, and swimming, and picnics at the beach-- as much as any other Mom. Let's get real for a minute though. We can't play down the other side of life with kids. The constant fighting The whining The meltdowns (yes one of our guys st...
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