| Is your child growing up too fast? As a parent we | | | | overprotected. Monitoring playtime with other children |
| want them to stay young and innocent. Somewhere | | | | will give you a better sense of how your child is |
| along the line our kids become exposed to outside | | | | relating to the other children. If your child is a |
| influences and they mature faster then both you and | | | | follower, you need to remember this as they grow |
| your child are ready. How do we control the | | | | older and start behaving like the other people whom |
| environment to benefit our child's growth and | | | | they are playing with. Don't be afraid to hurt your |
| maturity? We must first review our outside | | | | friend's feelings and not make play dates with their |
| exposures to our child. | | | | child. Your child's emotional well being is more |
| Media exposes our children to many things they are | | | | important. |
| not ready to hear or see. You may not think your | | | | Many times older children will make fun of younger |
| child is paying attention while you are watching a | | | | children for playing with certain toys or having |
| prime time sitcom that is inappropriate for children. As | | | | security blankets. Depending on the age of your child, |
| I have mentioned in my other articles, young children | | | | these toys and security blankets may be age |
| see and hear more then adults can possibly imagine. | | | | appropriate. Giving up these things because of peer |
| Most shows are not appropriate for young children to | | | | pressure is not healthy. For example, if your child |
| see or hear. The language and situations are too | | | | sleeps with a security blanket at night and another |
| mature for their minds. If it is not possible for you to | | | | child mocks your child for this behavior, your child |
| watch these shows without your children around, | | | | may give up their blanket when they are not |
| you can record them to watch while they are in bed. | | | | emotionally ready to give it up. This could cause |
| While you are on the phone or in a personal | | | | insecurities and other emotional attachments. Allowing |
| conversations make sure your conversations are | | | | a child to give up his/her favorite blanket or stuff |
| appropriate for them to hear. I quickly learned when | | | | animal on their own time will help them be more |
| my daughter was young, my conversations were | | | | secure individuals. |
| being monitored and repeated, usually at the most | | | | You don't want to coddle or baby your child so that |
| inappropriate time. There is nothing more humiliating | | | | he/she does not mature at a natural rate. It's |
| then having your personal conversations repeated | | | | important for them to feel confident, secure and |
| from a 5 year old. | | | | loved. Building an environment that allows them to |
| Probably most importantly is whom your child is | | | | define themselves without outside influences will help |
| playing with. If your child is playing with older children, | | | | this process. While exposing your child to age |
| he/she will want to imitate the older child. Being | | | | appropriate toys, media and friends you are |
| cautious of your child's friends is not being too | | | | developing a secure environment. |