In our conversation at Geronimo, Paul Schatz noted the fact that it used to be common to treat all children the same way, but wondered if there needs to be “different ways to raise each kid to make sure they excel the most”.
Great question. This is one of the most confusing things for me as a parent.
How about you: should you treat all of your kids the same?
NC Walker says
This question is usually associated with the feeling that you are favoring one child over another if you treat them differently. I believe that there needs to be a balance between fair treatment (ie they all do chores) and working with in their differences (the smaller children put away items on the lower shelves while the older ones get items on the upper shelves). It shows them that no one is a favorite while at the same time letting them know that they are not expected to be their sibling.
Kim Grehn says
I think my parenting style adapted to the individual characteristics of our children. They still needed to follow the house rules and do their chores…but the approach to accomplish those goals changed to reach each child.
Take a look at this article…
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/pages/Treating-Children-as-Individuals.aspx
webguygary says
I have no kids of my own, but the one common thing I see/hear so far on RLSG is that parents OVERTHINK parenting. Hey Parents: Get a grip. Your kids will do the same stuff you did (if you let them) and turn out just as great as you did.
-just sayin.
Bruce says
I fall into the “overthinking” category, but I think that it’s because I don’t want them to do the same stuff I did! (Translation: I’d like them to actually ATTEND their classes in college…)
Sarah kyrcz says
I do think we “over think” raising our children. BUT… I do think times are different and what we could all “get away with” gets today’s children in a lot of trouble. We have to be extra viligent these days to make our children stay on the straight and narrow and out of trouble.