* One family usually has a mom who has her kids do chores, follow strict rules and partake in extracurricular activities. That mother may also be very religious and/or also very health focused.
* The other family usually has no rules, the mom insists "The kids are allowed to be kids" These kids typically rude to their mother, eat junk food and play hours of video games.
While watching this show, I always tend to favor the strict mom. Although the kids seem kind of unhappy, the standard that she makes her kids adhere to is commendable.
I hate to see when the "laid" back mom changes the rules. That is when the once healthy, intellectual children end up eating bags of skittles while chugging down 2 liter sodas and painting on the walls of the house.
Now, how does this reflect me as a parent? Hmmmm
As a Libra, I believe that I am balanced mother. I have a code of conduct for my children to adhere to while also allowing them to express themselves.
But once I started to question whether I was a "Tiger Mom" after two particularconversations:
Conversation 1:
I was going over several options for my childrens weekend extracurricular activities with my aunt and mother. I was contemplating over which activities to place them in noting that several of these activities were taking place at around the same time. Should I have them learn an instrument, take art instruction, golf or soccer? After speaking on it for a while my mother said, "Why don't you ask them?" I actually hadn't thought of that. I allow them to choose some extracurriculars but I have also signed them up for things I have wanted them to do.
Conversation 2:
We were approach by an after school staff member about my kids being included in her sign language class once a week for a half an hour. Both kids told the lady they were interested. But once the women left my son said he wasn't really interested and asked me if he really had to do it. My short answer was yes. You can become tri lingual. He already speak English and he has been taking Spanish since Kindergarten. He is currently in the 6th grade. The idea of adding American Sign Language would be a benefit for his future resume and you never know if he could help someone. But he really didn't want to do it and said he was interested in possibly being part of his school theater group.
As ExposureMom, I want my kids to be exposed to a lot of different things.
My kids complained when I initially put them in golf but they started to love it and missed it when they didn't have classes.
I want my kids to try new things and complete what they begin.
They may complain initially but they always gain from new experiences and feel a sense of accomplishment when they complete something.
They like when they get a trophy, a medal or a certificate, or have a recital.
My son hated Judo but he finished the program and got a medal. I won't make him do it again but at least he completed it.
Even though I "make" my kids do things, I am gentle with them and we have tons of laughs and good times.
They have never complained when the new thing I want to try is a different types of restaurants or a new vacation location.
What are your thoughts?
Do you make your kids finish a class/course whether they are no longer interested?
ExposureMom
As ExposureMom, I want my kids to be exposed to a lot of different things.
My kids complained when I initially put them in golf but they started to love it and missed it when they didn't have classes.
I want my kids to try new things and complete what they begin.
They may complain initially but they always gain from new experiences and feel a sense of accomplishment when they complete something.
They like when they get a trophy, a medal or a certificate, or have a recital.
My son hated Judo but he finished the program and got a medal. I won't make him do it again but at least he completed it.
Even though I "make" my kids do things, I am gentle with them and we have tons of laughs and good times.
They have never complained when the new thing I want to try is a different types of restaurants or a new vacation location.
What are your thoughts?
Do you make your kids finish a class/course whether they are no longer interested?
ExposureMom
maybe you are a tigerette. I think it will be interesting to see how your approach is tested as they become teenagers. Its funny how some lessons of childhood have to be reversed in adulthood. For example, I agree that teaching kids to complete what they start is an important life lesson. As an adult, however, I have had to teach myself that I don't need to continue to do things I hate (excepts being pay bills, taxes, etc), that I now have the knowledge to know when something isn't a good fit.
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