We can’t help but worry about our 21 month old being 12 or 13 years old and the types of challenges that we’ll face together. To get right to the point, what’s the difference between protecting and sheltering? We’ve discussed this and read two books that were wonderful in giving us some perspective: 1) Bringing up Geeks and 2) Hold on to your Kids. Ultimately, we want our daughter to enjoy growing up at age-appropriate intervals and we definitely want to protect her from influences that might compromise that. What ideas and inspirations do you have for doing the same?
Isn’t shelter a good thing?
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You should take a look at the book, “Protecting the Gift.” It suggests that parents really do have pretty good gut instincts; however, due to fear of offending others, we often suppress our better judgment and end up putting ourselves and children in greater danger.
This book is definitely worth the look.
Thanks for the suggestion. There’s a similar thread in “Raising our Children, Raising Ourselves” - about parents worrying about being judged by other adults with similar consequences. I’ll have to check out the book you suggested.
The “Bringing up Geeks” book was a good one. I need to check out the other two that you mention. I think it is hard to look so far ahead and am trying to focus on the here and now. If we build a good foundation now, later will be better for everyone.