Building a Foundation

From the moment our children are born, they are learning, absorbing and trying to figure everything out.  This will become more obvious as they grow and develop.  They will also try to push their boundaries to see how far they can go, how much they can get away with, and how you will react.  

We have learned a few lessons so far about how we react.  If our son falls and we jump to react and make a big scene out of it, he reacts in kind.  He cries, gets upset and is a little freaked out.  If we react in a calm manner and do not make a scene, he generally gets right back up and keeps playing.  He forgets fairly quickly about the fall as if it never happened.  

All children will push the boundaries, some further than others.  At an early age they may not clearly understand "yes" or "no," but they are aware they are doing something they should not be doing.  It is these moments when they learn some discipline and begin to learn right from wrong.  While this may not have an immediate impact or be obvious to them, it will carry with them as they develop and grow.  It is important to set boundaries but not completely restrict our children from learning and having fun.  If we do not start early, we cannot be upset when they are full grown and act out in inappropriate ways as an adult.  We are their parents, we are not their friends...
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