Should Kids Conform?

Yesterday's post about letting our inner child out made me think of something very important.  Where does our inner child go?  Well, think about it.  Many teachers, parents, peers, ministers, law enforcement, etc. push us into slots and label us and tell us to stop doing this, don't do that, we shouldn't be this way or that.  From the time we are small children we get labeled and pushed to conform.  Should we just go WILD and do whatever we want whenever we want?  Perhaps not, but it really should be up to you and you using your discretion wisely while considering the impact on others.

This really stands out to me because our youngest is a very outgoing little guy and loves to dance around, jump about, and run rampant in stores (oh let me say that is challenging sometimes).  It is important to keep him safe and try not to annoy others to no end :)  Amazingly when he walks into his preschool he clams up and barely speaks to his teachers.  He did this from day one last year and this year.  We kept thinking he would open up as the year went on, but nope.  His teacher has been upset over it and has "talked" to me many times about it.  I finally had to make it very clear to her that as long as he is not hurting anyone physically or emotionally then I am not concerned.  I don't want my kids to shut off who they are and conform any more than necessary to survive in society.  

So, let them jump in puddles - jump in puddles yourself.  Don't insist that others shut off who they really are.  And, allow yourself to shine -- your true self :)