Blog #2: Parenting

There is a tough borderline between being a strict parent and being a parent that allows a lot of freedom. My parents are extremely strict and do not allow me much freedom. This makes some things difficult to accomplish, but can also be good because it provides a good backbone for my future. As far as my opinion for how adults in 2012 should parent themselves, there needs to be a balance between being strict and allowing freedom. Being strict can be good because it tells the kid that they need to abide by the rules and try and limit your mistakes but if you do make a mistake you can learn from it. But allowing freedom is good because you only live once and your childhood only occurs once. This may sound ridiculous but allowing your kid to go out and have fun and have freedom in your life can be beneficial. Its beneficial because it can allow you to police yourself early on in life, which your going to have to do later in life anyway so its better to start doing it earlier in life where you still have the support of your parents. Many of my friends have less strict parents that allow much more freedom. I feel a little jealous but still I think the way my parents are parenting me is helpful to me and beneficial. If I become a parent I would like to find a balance between being strict and allowing freedom. I would like my children to succeed in life, but not mainly because of my acts, but mostly there acts and how they proceed with their life. Since I was raised in a strict household I would want to go away from that idea and lean toward the idea of freedom. This allows for more fun during childhood and I think overall a better quality of life during your childhood. But I would also have to institute certain rules or regulations that prevent really bad mistakes from happening that could affect my child's future. These would include no drinking, smoking or anything that could get the police involved, but also getting good grades and being involved in outside activities. Otherwise, I would like my son or daughter to be able to control their own life and their future. I think that is the best way to parent now and probably the best way to parent in the future too.