Raising Children With the Laissez-Faire Parenting Style

By Melanie Woods

For anyone who has ever heard the phrase, less is more, that is at the heart of raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style. Less, meaning the physical guidance given to the children being raised, and more, meaning the physical learning the child must accomplish in order to progress through life.

Many believe that raising children mean being there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to guide them n every decision, tell them the answer to every question and virtually hold their hands through the beginning years of life. But, these actions take more away from the child than they give to them. By choosing the art of raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style, the parent gives the act of learning back to the child.

Leave bottle weaning to baby. Bottle weaning can be a tough time for both baby and parent. Instead of forcing a child to give up the suckling action hen they are not ready, raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style offers the choice to the child. A straw can be utilized as a way to get baby to stop with the bottle and pick up a new trick. Once they learn how to use the straw, they will no longer feel so stuck on the bottle.

Potty training. Potty training is another very big mountain to climb with baby. When raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style, potty training is less about making the baby sit on the potty and more about showing the baby how to use the potty. Raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style takes a more open mind about bathroom usage, but works wonders by giving the deciding choice back to the child.

No influencing decisions. One of the main things a parent raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style can do is to allow the child to choose the paths of life for themselves. When asked a question that requires a decision on the child's part, the parent must offer knowledge about all of the choices but decide none. If the child is stuck choosing between soccer, volleyball and ballet, offer real knowledge about each and them leave the decision in the court of the child.

Mistakes are okay. Children are going to make mistakes and that is what raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style is all about. Mistakes are what change us, mold us and teach us about life and how the decisions we make affect us later.

There may be struggles and difficulties for the parent raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style. Not because of the parenting style itself, but more because of the traditional values instilled in us all throughout life. Laissez-faire does not mean lazy, it means a dedication to teaching a child through life experiences while allowing them to walk freely on their own.

For those who choose the more traditional parenting route, life will turn out just fine. For those who chose raising children with the laissez-faire parenting style, there will be hills and valleys, but the gift of raising an independent child are priceless. - 30224

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