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Twelve
Myths
about
Raising
Self-Reliant
Children
- These days all children
are either learning disabled, gifted or both.
- If they just try hard
enough and are taught well, any child has what it takes to
become a neurosurgeon or a high tech CEO.
- In our competitive
world, it’s important to give each child an edge by scheduling
enrichment activities, lessons and tutors. It’s less important to
let them waste time farting around or daydreaming or to burden them
with ordinary household chores.
- In order to survive in
the coming millenium, every child needs to be a robust generalist who
is good at everything. Learning is a not a process that lasts a
lifetime but a product that must be manufactured by the end of
middle school.
- It is respectful and
appropriate to continue all discussions with children until they
understand the rationale for what we want them to do…or not to do.
- A bright, articulate
child can distinguish between what he wants and what he needs.
- Praise builds
self-esteem. Every child needs to feel very special.
- Children need less sleep
than they used to.
- If we raise them right,
our children’s level of sexual interest should be about the same as
ours was when we were their age.
- It is not good for
children to feel bored, unhappy, disappointed, sad, frustrated or left
out.
- These days, it’s just
too dangerous to give children privacy in the house or freedom on the
streets.
- My children should come
before my marriage, before my hobbies, before… everything!
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