I think also our culture has largely forgotten that the job of parents is not just to care for children but to raise adults. Kids are not given opportunities to practice adulthood in small, low-stakes doses. The result is college students who flame out with too much alcohol and no decision-making skills. (Which I see on a regular basis.)...
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This is a really interesting discussion. Bringing up children is difficult and involves hard choices - let's acknowledge up front that there's no perfect answer...
I find true wisdom in these posts. I would like to add one thought: Children aware that someone is investing effort in them, coaching them to become capable, while managing the risks... may also grow into adults who are comfortable with investing in the next generation... finding joy and meaning in taking responsibility for giving kids roots and wings (as the saying goes)... in the balance they deem appropriate for their child/ren.
