Although I don't watch This Morning (sorry), parenting forums have been buzzing with today's interview by Bea Marshall. Bea is a parenting coach - I expect she tells parents what to do rather than offering encouraging words like 'you got this' and 'you are definitely not screwing up your child'. Anyway, Bea doesn't think children should be punished as 'any form of punishment puts the parent in a position of power over their child'. Wait, what?! Isn't that the point of being a parent? Aren't we supposed to be the ones in charge? Surely I'm not the only one who uses the line 'If you don't like my rules, then get a job and a family and make your own rules'.
What is wrong with having power over your children as long as you use the power to guide them and help them turn out into happy, caring, responsible adults? My daughter is eight and my son is four. I cannot imagine letting them decide whether they should do their homework, see the dentist or what time they should go to bed. I am an adult. With that comes years of wisdom and learning. I have learned some things the hard way, which everyone must go through. But some things have been learnt through listening to the recommendation of professionals. For instance, I know how important sleep is to children's growing bodies and minds. Letting my kids get six or seven hours of sleep a night is not going to do them any favours.
But I am not saying that we should blindly follow childcare experts. I sincerely believe in a parent's intuition. Many of us are taught to ignore our hearts, but there is something that tells many of us what is best for our own child. Obviously if your instinct says to give your six-month old some Coca-Cola, then maybe ignore those instincts. I also don't believe we should be hitting our children or punishing them in any way that is humiliating or physical. Kids need to feel safe and loved at home, more than anywhere else. A parent should be the one person who you know will always love you and take care of you and never inflict harm or pain on you.
It has happened to us all. You are out and about with your children, minding your own business, when an unknown voice intrudes into your space. This kindly, well-meaning person goes on to tell you how to best take care of your children. Perhaps your child is not dressed warmly enough. Perhaps your child is dressed too warmly. Is your child particularly small or big for his/her age? Maybe your child is hungry or thirsty. Could your child need a haircut? Or does our child not look enough like his or her own gender? Is that a boy wearing a princess dress? *gasp*
