I've been reading a bunch of stuff about birth lately (I don't know why, that's just who I am, I guess), and the more and more I read, the more I see how important it is to DO NOTHING.
Nuchal cord? Do nothing.
Cervical lip? Do nothing.
Breech? Do nothing.
Anything else disturbs the normal physiological process that the mother and baby need to go through.
I was thinking about how this "Do Nothing" notion relates to other areas as well... like child rearing, and just LIFE, in general.
I talked before about how I am not a fan of helicopter parenting. How I think children get more out of play (out of life) by doing it themselves... while I just sit back and Do Nothing.
Same goes for my unschooling sensibilities... From a DH Lawrence essay, Education of the People: "How to begin to educate a child. First rule: leave him alone. Second rule: leave him alone. Third rule: leave him alone. That is the whole beginning."
I think anything else would interfere with a child's physiological process of growth and development as well. They know what their doing here. My job is to trust in them and in this process (just like with birth) and to make sure they trust in themselves as well. (I expounded on this concept a bit in my Idle Parenting post awhile ago.)
But this "Do Nothing" attitude is just good for life in general, for all of us, adults and children alike... It promotes a go with the flow, let go and let God kind of attitude. It's a good way to live.
(Disclaimer: As with anything, in birth, life, or otherwise, if there is an emergency situation that needs to be attended to, this "Do Nothing" attitude obviously doesn't apply. This should go without saying, but I thought I would mention it here so you all don't think I'm Miss Crazy-Pants who will "Do Nothing" at all costs.)
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It's amazing how many parents I already know that have this "Do Nothing" phyilosophy about their kids and parenting. These are the parents that collect a welfare check every month, their kids don't have decent hygiene because there isn't anyone holding them responsible for it, and these are the kids that get labeled as "special ed" because they (and their parents) have never expected them to do anything more than what they feel like doing. Imagine more of the world that could be opened up for these children if there was someone giving them priorities, responsibilities, and goals to reach--helping to make them well-rounded individuals. It doesn't need to be "helicopter parenting", it just needs to be parenting. By doing nothing and letting children explore life and it's milestones on their own, they ARE being limited. They may not even realize the possibilites out there that they would truly enjoy and thrive at doing. As parents, it is our job to not sit back totally, but to take an active role so that our children can strive, meet their fullest potentional, enjoy life, and also be happy.
Whoa... chill out, Anonymous. You're missing the main point of the whole thing.
Wow, anonymous...did you read the same post I just read?
I got it Goofy Mama and I agree with you. I think it takes more energy and thoughtfulness sometimes to take the "do nothing" approach than to parent in the typical knee-jerk reaction way that most do. I trust my kids and we find exciting opportunities for them and let them explore it in their own way, that's not limiting them.
You're not limiting them now. Just when they are adults with little to no education and have limited opportunities to get a job that pays over minimum wage.
Dear Anonymous,
Please do your homework and research before assuming that all home schooled kids will end up uneducated with limited job opportunities. Here's a link for you: http://www.hslda.org/docs/study/rudner1999/Rudner2.asp
Home school can be great. Goofymama does nothing and unschooling. Way different.
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