Hi
I have been criticised on another discussion board for my lack of parenting skill and discipline, and I would like the opinion of other mums. I am a 23 year old mother of a 5 year old boy and a 3 year old boy,and we live in suburban Auckland, New Zealand.
Basically I have a totally carefree approach to bringing up the two boys, they quite literally do what they want, when they want without my involvement or control. As we live in a quiet suburban street I happily let me play anywhere, including at any neighbour they choose, in their garden or even in their home. I have no issue with them jumping all over furniture, either ours or the neighbours and riding their bikes in the garden etc etc.
I am a 100% barefoot mother and encourage my children to be barefoot too, allthe time. Their feet obviously get dirty and often this dirt gets taken into the neighbours house, messing up carpet etc. I have often visited these neighbours socially, and obviously let my children play wherever they want, jumping on furniture etc. They wear want they want and eat whatever they want.
When we are out, such as the supermarket, I am happy for the children to run up and down the aisles, playing their hide and seek games without any control fr0m me. Again we are always barefoot in the supermarket, I find being barefoot with my children in public very enjoyable and helps reinforce that neat sense of freedom Iwant for them. I have alot of foot jewellery, including anklets and seven toe rings, and tattoos on my thighs, calves, ankles and barefeet which also attracts attention from people, which I really love. When we go out to McDonalds, or any other child friendly restaurant, the children love running around the tables, and they love throwing their burger packets and chip packets etc on the ground = my children just love to litter! Again I have no problem with this, their is alway someone to clean up their mess, and I'm pretty bad at littering too!
Both my boyfriend and I swear alot around the house, and naturally the children have picked this up. I have no problem at all with my children swearing anywhere they want.
Would be very keen to know whether you think I am too laid back. My MIL hates the way I bring the children up, hates me not wearing shoes so refuses to go anywhere in public with me.
Please let me know your thoughts. I am very reluctant to change anything as I want my children to have freedom and no restrictions at all, but some of the comments from others has been scathing and rather hurtful. I think my children are happy, independant and really dont need me to stifle them at all .
