Structuring Your Kids Lives: Less Is More

http://www.SharonBallantine.com“Parenting with the Law of Attraction in Mind”

Structuring Your Kids Lives:Less Is More

http://www.SharonBallantine.com


“Parenting with the Law of Attraction in Mind”

From Life Coach & Parenting Coach Sharon Ballantine



In recent years, parents seem to provide more and

more structure in their children’s lives.



The concept of the "lazy day" is no longer an

option for many kids. For them, every minute is being booked out of existence. For many children today, every minute of their day is

scheduled and structured and they are carted from

one place to the next.



It may seem to us, that by giving our children so many

“opportunities” to play and explore and stay busy, we are

doing them a favor.



We may not realize that by

providing our kids with a great deal of structure, we could actually be

doing them a disservice.



Unguided exploration is immensely valuable for children. It gives them the

chance to tap into their Internal Guidance System and learn what

motivates and intrigues them.



It is certainly wonderful when we can guide our

children and provide them

with chances to experience a

variety of activities.



Experience broadens horizons and it is also the best way to help kids determine what

they do and don’t enjoy doing.



Kids also need unstructured play time. They need time to relax and

to play in ways that don’t involve rules and structures and

schedules and practices that have been made up by

adults.



We can’t deny that some excellent values come from participating in sports, dance classes,or studying a musical instrument. Through such activities, children learn about team work, focus, and discipline.



Yet, these more disciplined pursuits are so highly structured, that they don’t allow kids to practice planning and organizing

for themselves.



In order to grow and become more independent, kids must assume the roll of decision maker without

being told what to do by adults.



It is important for us to encourage our kids to make

decisions for themselves. This is subverted when we

are always telling them what to do and how to do it.



By providing kids with more flexibility in their schedule we give them opportunity to become

responsible for their time. They can decide when they want to play

or visit friends or read or be creative or even

daydream.



We want to empower our children to tap into their Internal Guidance System so they can learn what fuels and inspires them. When we give them

some space, they are able to do that.



This will also strengthen their sense of self and

help them to discover who they are as individuals, as separate from their parents and

their friends.



By enabling our kids to choose how they use their time we also help them to learn to be

self-directed which will help them to accomplish their goals.



You may feel that giving your kids less structure will be a burden for you, but

that’s not necessarily the case.



Lead by example and your kids will follow. Give yourself some unscheduled time to read, go for a hike or even play with your kids. In the end, the benefit will be shared by

everyone.



“Parenting with the Law of Attraction in Mind”


Structuring Your Kids Lives: Less Is More

Lifestyle

Transcript of Structuring Your Kids Lives: Less Is More