Control Freak

"Wherever you look these days, the message is the same: childhood is too precious to children and children are too precious to be left alone. All this meddling is forging a new kind of childhood. In the past, the Working Child toiled in the fields and later, in the factories of the Industrial Revolution. The twentieth century saw the rise of the Free-Range Child. Now we have entered the age of the Managed Child... Look around and it's clear that children are already the target of more anxiety and intervention than at any time in history." - from the Introduction

This book hits the spot. Nowadays, parents are too concerned with baby's activities and micromanaging their life. Playgroups, routines, flashcards, etc. Are we really helping our children this way or are we just setting ourselves up for more problems in the future?

At home, we are pretty strict about our daughter's diet and schedule (except that for the last few days she hasn't been sleeping right, I think she is teething). Other than that, we let her play on her own (sometimes I feel guilty for not playing with her so much) and worried that I am not teaching her enough words yet (my Mom constantly reminds me about this).

Good thing, my hubby and I create a good balance at home. I'm very lenient and easygoing while he is the disciplinarian (perfect since she is already starting to throw some tantrums). Although when I am too protective of baby (like when she starts climbing and is too active), he tells me to let her be. Or when I bring up education and her future career, he always says it's up to our daughter while I have already planned that she would take up gymnastics, study fashion and live in Milan.

Sometimes, we are so obsessed about leading our child's lives due to our own frustrations. I remember my father forcing me to play the organ or suggesting I be a lawyer or doctor. No way did he dreamed of me working for a magazine or living in Hong Kong but here I am. Our children's talents shine when we let them be themselves, and this starts at a very young age.

I'm glad this book was written and hope to get a copy soon. Now, feel better for not potty training early, enrolling her in class or not reading her flashcards to her everyday...