The authoritarian hippie parent who finds their true calling in keeping the kids away from sugar, video games, tiktok, or whatever will not be raising the free-range, independent, self-regulating adults they imagine.
The alternative to this is not a diet of fast food, every social media before the age of 10, or video games rated R before puberty. By all means, put out healthy, wholesome options and alternatives. Just chill when the kids inevitably feel like diverging.
Bodily experiences cannot be conveyed by admonishment. Let the kid binge that candy bag until they’re sick. Let their eyes grow square after a day of 12 hours in Roblox. This is how they learn their own limits and develop an intrinsic appreciation for “enough”.
If you approve of every choice your child is making, your grip is far too tight. They can’t grow without making bad choices. And even what appears to be a bad choice to you might very well not be for them.
If these thoughts tickle or provoke, please read The Self-Driven Child as your next step. We didn’t even talk about homework nagging or hobby pushing. Both fit in this category as well.
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