Kids Are People Too

A principle method of parenting that I use is to remember that kids are in fact human. People tend to forget that kids are human beings and people also tend to forget that moms are too. (Insert link to previous post made about this on other site)

The concept was introduced to me a couple of years ago by a book recommendation that was made to me called “Raising Human Beings” by Dr. Ross Greene and a recommendation, from the same person to follow Janet Lansbury’s podcast Unruffled and author of “No Bad Kids.”

The re-framing of this idea was important. Obviously, I knew that my kids were human but I did not actively think it. My kids were kids, children, a separate entity altogether.

As a human myself, (surprising, I know,) I make mistakes, I feel different ways at different times. I can only do so much at one time. I have dreams that I wish to achieve. I have a life outside of home. So, why did my mind only allow me to think of my children as just that – children. My children also have dreams. They have different abilities. They are good at some things and not so good at other things. Just like me. The main difference is that their brains are not yet developed in quite the same way.

My expectation of my children were for them to follow child psychology and development books exactly as it said. “This is normal.” “This isn’t.” Each developmental journey was pre-planned in my head as if “Ok this is what children must do.” But I took the person element out. These creatures called our kids have their own personality, their own rate of development, their own likes and dislikes. They get overwhelmed just like me. They think differently than me.

Did I just make parenting harder? Actually, for me, I did not. Again the re-framing helped me be a better parent. I apologize when I am wrong just like when I would make my children apologize when they were wrong. Because I became more attuned to my children’s needs, I was better able to provide the guidance, support, and love my children need.

This post is not really to tell you, the reader, anything but to remember that your tiny humans are people too. Just like you. Just smaller, for now.