Comments for Motherhood and Anarchy

Comment on Book Club – Rape of the Fair Country by Alexander Cordell by Merchant

Merchant — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:34:59 +0000

Wanted to let you you know about a Mini Saga competition inspired by Alexander Cordell’s novels. You need to write just 50 words, and it’s free to enter. Find out more at http://cordellcountry.org/en/competition/how-to-enter

Comment on Summer Holiday Reading by Motherhood and Anarchy

Motherhood and Anarchy — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:50:07 +0000

Angelica, I will have a look at Shantaram – will have to be for next summer as am still on Sea of Poppies!

Has been a good response to this post on British Mummy Bloggers. Interestingly, two bloggers recommended books – Little Bee and The Other Hand, which turned out to be the same book by Chris Cleave. It was published as Little Bee in the US. Have read quite a lot of discussion about this book so might be one to try.

Comment on A tough choice: balancing Independence and Safety by Motherhood and Anarchy

Motherhood and Anarchy — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:29:57 +0000

Thanks for this comment Ella, glad you liked the post. It’s really comforting to hear that children are still playing outside – sounds like you have a good balance. I like the comment to your boys to come home if they feel uncomfortable about anything. And I agree entirely about wanting to give children the same freedom we had as children “but with a nod to protectiveness and the fears” – good compromise!

I’ve just read some stats released for Playday 2010 which “suggest that half of all adults think it’s unsafe to let a child play outside unsupervised” and “one in three parents believe they would be judged by their neighbours if they let their child play outside on their own”. Sounds like you have more sensible neighbours!

But where does this leave the children? Tim Gill, who I referred to above, also writes “children will only become responsible people if they are given the chance to learn from their experiences”.

As for the hidden driveway, I’ve asked my children to stop and look, and we’ve talked about why, but you know how it is when children are running and in that state of utter abandon! I don’t want to have to insist they can’t run on and must walk with me. I’m hoping that with the new term, the stopping and looking at the driveway becomes a habit that helps them understand sensible road-use behaviour.

Comment on Summer Holiday Reading by angelica

angelica — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:12:29 +0000

I HAVE to recommend shantaram. a wonderful summer read, if only because it’s rather large, so you want to have a good chunk of time

Comment on A tough choice: balancing Independence and Safety by ella

ella — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:22:53 +0000

Very interesting post. I live on a street in a small village where all the children play out unsupervised. It is not a through-road and I imagine that the parents are checking now and again out of their windows but no-one is actually outside with the children. My eldest two boys (8 and 7) are also encouraged to walk down to the park and play – where there are sometimes other children playing but not always – but on the condition they take their mobile phone, they stay together and they come home if they feel uncomfortable about anything. I want them to have the same freedom I had as a child, but with a nod to my protectiveness at the fears I feel.

Interestingly, despite the freedom I try to encourage in my children, I would let them run ahead but I would also make them stop at the hidden driveway. In the same vein, although I let my children play out, I wouldn’t let my children cycle to school alone at that age. So freedom on the one hand, fusspot on the other!

Comment on A tough choice: balancing Independence and Safety by Motherhood and Anarchy

Motherhood and Anarchy — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:52:01 +0000

It’s interesting to hear about that interaction in Holland Angelica.

I have just read an article by Tim Gill referencing the Schonrocks, the “Dulwich parents”. He makes an interesting point that by raising this issue the Schonrocks have questioned “the idea that being a good parents means being a controlling parent”. Gill says, “it comes down to what you think is important for children.” Another interesting slant on this issue I thought.

Comment on Summer Holiday Reading by Motherhood and Anarchy

Motherhood and Anarchy — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:47:09 +0000

Thanks Plan B. Have a great holiday. Will be interested to hear what you thought if you do read any of these books.

Comment on Summer Holiday Reading by Plan B

Plan B — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:14:47 +0000

How incredibly useful! We’re off on hols next week. Will be printing this out and taking it to the book shop!

Comment on Travelling with Children by Summer Holiday Reading « Motherhood and Anarchy

Summer Holiday Reading « Motherhood and Anarchy — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:53:25 +0000

[...] Travelling with Children [...]

Comment on A tough choice: balancing Independence and Safety by angelica

angelica — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:04:45 +0000

i think about this a lot too. because I want to let my children learn, roam and experiment, but i am also incredibly paranoid of the exceptions (Madelein Mcann, Mike Tyson’s kid…) so many accidents, so many rare things waiting to happen. it is a fine balance indeed. Yet, I feel I am quite forward in letting them experiment, as long as someone is there to catch them

I’ve moved to holland 18 months ago. here they have free medical care for all children under 4yo, and the first visit is in your home. When my 4 yo started school, her teacher and the assistant also came for a visit. It is odd for me, but actually, I think it is fantastic. So they saw my home and her environment, so? so did the plumber and the cable man. but not only does that help them understand better who she is, if it helps catch even one child that is falling out of the net I think it is worth it.

Children can’t defend themselves, and the boundaries are complex, but -within reason- it’s good that someone is watching out for them.