Post by Sasha on Dec 6, 2006 22:25:18 GMT -5
mommy0608 said:
sasha said:
A lot of people have accused me of being too liberal with him, but he knows just how far he can go, and what is not allowed under any circumstances.My son surprised me just now. He told me that he loved me. I about fell out of my seat.
I get accused of that too! When my kids turned 15, I started letting them make most of their own decisions. Of course I say "no" when I need to and I watch their every move (I even show up in the strangest places ) but....they will be leaving my house in 3 years and will have to make their own decisions. I want them to make the mistakes now, while I am here to guide them and the stakes are not so high. I've told them that as long as they are honest and don't lie to me, I will trust them. If they lie, I can make their lives miserable until they are 18 and leave my house! Surprisingly, that has been almost a year now and they have both done so well. We have been so proud of them. They are both always home before curfew, if they are going to be late (which as been very few times) they call, they have always been where they say they will be, and hubby says they tell me too much. But I like it that way. They call me as soon as they get home from school and tell me every thing that happened that day. On the weekends, they come in the bedroom, sit on the bed, and tell me everything they did. They have each been in trouble one time at school (for being tardy to class) and they both called me and told me way before the principal did.
I have an "open door" policy with Andrew, and I have told him that he can share anything he wants to with me. His father is the same way. We can both tolerate anything but a lie.
Andrew has asked me how he will know if he loses my trust. I told him that there would be absolutely no doubt in his mind when he steps over that line.