Editor's Note: It's hard to know what to teach our kids sometimes. Just when you think you've found a way that works, some study or another parent tells you that you're doing it wrong. Even if you feel right in your own ways, you will bump up against parents who have chosen different paths to parent their own children -- which can cause issues for your kids in relationships with these other kids. Theresa at Red Oak Road explores some of these difficult concepts in a recent post, coming up with a few ways their family plans to approach these issues. -Jenna
Teaching Children Healthy Boundaries:
I understand that these parents don't want "expectations" on their children. I agree that some expectations are not healthy. But some expectations just help us to understand other people and how to interact with them. From a young age, I have taught my girls to say "please" and "thank you" or to apologize if they are wrong. I have let them know from a young age that I expected them to share toys with their friends. I expect them to keep their rooms clean and to help around the house. I expect that if we have someplace to go, they will get dressed, brush their hair and teeth, etc. I expect them to listen and compromise. I expect them not to ridicule, tease or make fun of other people. I expect them to eat with a fork or spoon. I expect them to take turns.
But not all of their friends have these same expectations on them and that can be difficult to understand, difficult to get along with and navigate a friendship.
Credit: lachlanhardy.