Setting limits
“There are a hundred events a day where I know I’m supposed to draw a line, but I have no idea where the line’s supposed to be!”
Children need clear boundaries and limits if they are to feel safe, secure, and loved. Limits are like the banks of a river. A river without banks is a big puddle. That’s a lot like a child without limits – they tend to be unpredictable and ‘flow’ in any direction. Limits are the ‘banks’ that provide structure and guidance for your child to be their best.
Children have two opposing emotional drives or needs within them. Firstly, they have the need for attachment – being connected to you, which in turn invokes feelings of well being, security, and belonging. Secondly, they also have a need for independence, which helps them differentiate from you, their parent. No child is a carbon copy of his or her parents. This independence drive allows them to thrive, and become the most beautiful person they can possibly be.
The needs of attachment and independence need to be balanced. A child with too many limits never develops a sense of self, while one with too few limits grows up without boundaries. Setting limits is an important skill in raising a co-operative child. Here are some ideas to be a smart parent when it
comes to setting limits.
Setting limitsFile size: 0.16 MB
All files (including but not limited to pdf documents and videos) are copyrighted and is property of Parents Partners. These files must not be redistributed in any way without prior permission from the Parents Partners.
Please contact us if you have any concerns regarding this disclaimer.