pruning, wiring, clamping

[metaphortunate]

Building on my last post, one thing I'm not sure that the Junebug realizes is that he actually gets more physical liberty than a lot of kids. And I swear I'm not judging. I know that other parents know their kids, just like I do. And I have seen the kids that never stop running and that will fling themselves off any heights whatsoever. I would

Comments

[amaebi]

Hoo, boy.

One of my son's colleagues at school and in scouting declined to perform some cleanup task on the grounds of being a boy. The den leader was sure that's not how his home household operates: I am less sure.

I am trying to teach my son to listen to and hear women and girls as well as men and boys, to respect female ownership of our own time and labor. In a world where he chronically experiences women and girls being run over conversationally, and unilaterally assigned tiresome unpaid work. It's all so exhausting.

[harimad]

In practical terms, I might say something designed to elicit further comment that was not, in itself, a critique. "Hm. Really?" in a gentle, almost statement tone might do it.

Because yes, I too would wonder if the friend's explanation is right. Now that I think about it, maybe it's more right than the parent will admit!

Either way - AARRRGGGHHHH!!! THE SEXISM, IT HURTS!!

[harimad]

On a more general note, in my neck of the woods the general rule is that when you're the parent in charge, all the kids follow your rules. Your rules may be more restrictive or they may be more permissive. So if my kids' friends' caregivers lets them eat multiple desserts, then I roll with it.

Or maybe I change my choices. My kids are allowed to jump on the trampoline in the backyard without me (as long as they're both out there). If friends were over I'd probably ensure a grownup was out there - as much because I don't know all the ins and outs of their friends' capabilities.

I did reach the limits of that in May. I was going to let the 3rd graders under my care (Meg's 4 birthday party guests, in fact) wander through the school fair alone, checking in every hour. I chose to let the parents know. One parent objected, gently and courteously, so we didn't.

[cdk]

The horrifying twist at the end of this post caught me completely off-guard. Aigh.

[mistersmearcase]

Subject line immediately put horrible L-Word theme song in my brain ARGH