I let my {older} kids pick out their own clothing every day
Except when we are going somewhere special
I also let them brush their teeth
And style their hair the way they want
I don't mind when my kids want to decorate their room the way they choose
I allow my children to watch television
And play on the computer
And I have even let them use the word "friggin" without saying anything about manners and appropriate-ness.
I say it is OK when my kids want to participate in an activity that might be considered dangerous
I let them get hurt
And comfort them when they do
I let my children eat junk food
I don't care when they tell me they have girlfriends.
Even though I think I am the only girlfriend they should have.
Forever.
I do not allow my children to see my fears...out of fear that they might fear something because Mommy does
I don't mind if they go away for a week to spend time with family members
Because I feel it is important for them to create meaningful relationships with other {loving} adults away from their parents.
I love it when my kids have hobbies that
they choose...and love.
I allow my children to make their own decisions
And I also allow them to deal with the consequences if things don't turn out the way they expected.
Because I want my children to grow up to be independent, respectful, well mannered human beings who aren't afraid to make their own decisions.
And thrive when there are problems to solve and goals to accomplish without looking to Mom and Dad to figure it out for them.
I also want them to appreciate that Mom and Dad let them make their own choices...even when they didn't agree..
...like when they went to school with ripped brown pants and a too small blue shirt, because they thought it looked cool.