My way or the Highway!

When parenting today’s youth, do you feel guardians should negotiate with children?
My way or the highway is the kind of life tactics that doesn’t really work in any aspect of life. Parenting is no different especially with it comes to parenting children in the era of the social media and free spirit. Some parents may feel like “old school” parenting practices are the best when it come to raising today’s youth. Others may feel as if they should allow their children to be free to make their own mistakes. Truth is, parenting is no easy task and no one has written a fail-safe book for every child. Children like crayons are all different and should be parented in accordance to families values but also paired with negotiating methods as well.

Parents: What Would You Do?

Your twelve-year-old daughter/son comes home after his/her last day of school (start of summer break) visibly excited. Mom/Dad like seven of my classmates are taking the bus (public transportation) to the mall and movies this weekend. Can I take the bus with them to the mall and to see a movies this Saturday afternoon, please?!?!

The child has never been on a social outing alone but she/he is beyond excited about becoming a teenager in a few months and hanging out on their own with friends.

Is the answer no right off? Do you negotiate with the child, suggesting you drive or chaperone the trip? Some parents may feel like a twelve-year-old shouldn’t have a social life and others may have already allowed their child this kind of freedom and set no boundaries. If parents negotiate the terms of how the child behaves and or matures the child will eventually learn to make safe choices independently.