That sounds like quite the outfit. Did you get a picture?

The safety issue thing has really helped. I haven’t had to use it too often, but there have been a few times, and it’s been great. He knows I’ll explain things as soon as we have the luxury of time.

I’m going to shamelessly steal your “This is a safety issue” shortcut. Brilliant.

Cheers for that!

And that larger picture can be so enormous!

Thanks, Jessie!

I think one of the things that helps with it is being willing to recognize your shortcomings to your child. Since I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong and apologize, he knows quite well how imperfect I really am. LOL

Natural consequences are a much better teacher than a nagging parent for sure. And you are so right. So many issues can be avoided or weakened if people will just communicate with their kids. Their insight is so valuable.

I definitely think a lot of it is generational. My grandparents were even worse about it. They were always so very concerned about what the neighbors might think. It sometimes is difficult to ignore those other voices, but it’s so important we do.

It’s so great you’re creating so much space for him to be able to be himself. It can be so difficult to not be concerned about what other people think about our children’s choices and actions. So much more important to focus on the big things like respect, as you mentioned.

I have been experiencing his outward vagabond behavior in a foreign country for 36 days now and in the beginning it was quite stressful. We are in a country where we all, especially Mak(because he is blond and blue eyed)are looked at because we simply look different.
I had to give myself a kick. We chose to travel with our son to affirm freedom to choose and to be free to just be,really.

I can totally identify with your struggles, they are mine too.For me, success comes down to not caring what others think of Makai’s behavior but focusing on what his opinion or feeling is on his experiences or actions on a particular day. If he had a great day and was safe and respectful(as much as his age allows without direction from me) it was a great day no matter the opinions of others.