Independence Day
This is the first time I've been the parent of a 1 1/2 year old (give or take) who is a second child, so I don't know if this is standard or not. But more and more Connor is insisting on being independent.
"Connor do it" and "I do it" are coming out of his mouth pretty frequently. For instance, he might refuse to be fed something, but will eat it just fine if he's feeding himself. It shows up when it's time to brush teeth, get dressed, play with Play-Dough(TM), and a bunch of other places. And while I'm glad that he's already learning to take care of himself (yesterday he ran into where Angie was, said "Pee!" and took off his diaper. She took him into the bathroom and he took care of business.), I find that it also makes me a little bit nervous.
After ten years of youth ministry and conversations with parents I've seen the troubles that can befall someone who insists on doing things their way. I know this isn't quite as annecdotal as most of my other posts, but I've really been thinking a lot about this lately. And the real concern I have is that, based on what I've seen, people who are ardently independent are much more unlikely to learn from other people's mistakes and insight. They tend to need to learn things themselves, which often involves making mistakes that hurt. And that's really what I keep coming back to. I want my kids (including those in my youth ministry) to be able to avoid the pitfalls that I've found, and that other adults with influence in their lives have fallen into. I don't want him to have to do things on his own so much that he has to endure more heartache and trouble than he needs to.
And since I'm only 10 years away from Connor the Jr. High student, I think I'd better quit writing and get to prayin'.
Thanks for enduring my not-so-amusing rambling. Next time I'll have a wacky story or funny picture. Promise.
"Connor do it" and "I do it" are coming out of his mouth pretty frequently. For instance, he might refuse to be fed something, but will eat it just fine if he's feeding himself. It shows up when it's time to brush teeth, get dressed, play with Play-Dough(TM), and a bunch of other places. And while I'm glad that he's already learning to take care of himself (yesterday he ran into where Angie was, said "Pee!" and took off his diaper. She took him into the bathroom and he took care of business.), I find that it also makes me a little bit nervous.
After ten years of youth ministry and conversations with parents I've seen the troubles that can befall someone who insists on doing things their way. I know this isn't quite as annecdotal as most of my other posts, but I've really been thinking a lot about this lately. And the real concern I have is that, based on what I've seen, people who are ardently independent are much more unlikely to learn from other people's mistakes and insight. They tend to need to learn things themselves, which often involves making mistakes that hurt. And that's really what I keep coming back to. I want my kids (including those in my youth ministry) to be able to avoid the pitfalls that I've found, and that other adults with influence in their lives have fallen into. I don't want him to have to do things on his own so much that he has to endure more heartache and trouble than he needs to.
And since I'm only 10 years away from Connor the Jr. High student, I think I'd better quit writing and get to prayin'.
Thanks for enduring my not-so-amusing rambling. Next time I'll have a wacky story or funny picture. Promise.
posted by Gabe at
5:21 PM
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