One of the biggest things I tried to teach my students when teaching high school was to self advocate. If you need help, get it. If you have a question, ask it. If you have an idea, share it. I used to tell them to take ownership of their education. Being transparent, I told them, there are 30 of you and one of me, so make your voice heard.
I believe self advocacy skills are incredibly important. As a mom, I want my children to be able to articulate their needs and learn how to make decisions about their own life.
The thing is, as their primary caretaker it is my job to advocate on behalf of my children right now, and that is really hard.
This parenting philosophy that I follow, RIE, is different. And because it is different I often find myself in situations with other moms and other families where I need to advocate for what I believe is best for my son.
I was at the park and my friend put her daughter, same age as my son, in the toddler swing. Franky walked over and was watching his friend being swung. He touched the other toddler swing. The mom told me to put Franky in as well. So I explained that I don’t put Franky into places he can’t get into himself. But this mom persisted on telling me that my son is obviously asking to get in the swing. I knew what felt right in my heart, but standing up to this mom was tough.
Bending down and acknowledging my son while he whined about the swing, letting him know that I hear him, telling him he can continue playing with the swing the way he was, all while the mom was watching me… was all so tough.
Some may argue to just put him on the swing but I really don’t believe in doing that. I believe in giving my child the opportunity to learn physical awareness and he does that by testing his own limits on what he can and cannot do. Ever since he was little, I never put him into positions he cannot get into himself. This way, he is never in a position he cannot get out of himself. This is a strong aspect of RIE and I believe in it. So I held out.
But did I mention how hard it was?
Now, anyone who knows me knows I am a pretty outspoken person. Yet when it comes to parenting, I don’t always feel outspoken about my beliefs. With parenting, everyone and anyone has an opinion. And moms so often feel judged because no matter what we do or believe in, someone has something to say about it.
And I think that’s what makes my self-advocating, as a mother, really difficult.
The other day we were at a family’s house. The parents began telling us about a new video game they bought that was really fun for adults and kids. They got so excited telling us about it they decided to show us. So they turned on the TV and began playing.
I never mentioned this on my blog before but I believe in screen-free parenting. 100% screen free. Franky has obviously seen the tv when out and about, but at home we never have it on. So when that giant screen went on, my son stopped playing and became a zombie in front of it. Now maybe if he did that for a minute or so and then continued playing, I would have let it go. But my son just stood there transfixed, and I really didn’t want our time with this family to be spent with my son glued to this new and fascinating thing.
I knew I had to say something but I was so nervous. Several adults and kids were playing the video game. Everyone was having a good time. I knew that by saying something I was going to kill the vibe….
I pulled the mom aside and began to explain. I was trying to put a lot of effort into my words, because I didn’t want to come off as judging her for her choices. I just wanted my voice heard. So literally feeling like I wanted to crawl out of my own skin, I stumbled out the words that we don’t do any screens with Franky. I told her if they can turn the TV off I would be greatly appreciative.
Now, of course this mom completely understood and turned the tv off. But it was so awkward. And why?
Why was it so awkward and hard for me to advocate for my views. I mean, isn’t that what moms are supposed to do? Aren’t we supposed to stand up for our kids, all the time!? But how do we stand up to other moms who are also struggling to figure out what they are doing on the day to day?
I am still struggling to understand where my insecurities come from. These are the things that truly make parenthood so hard.
And above all else, the hardest part is knowing that I am the biggest model for my son. If I want him to grow up standing up for what he wants and needs, he needs to see me doing the same. So in light of the new year and people talking about their resolutions, here is mine:
I hope to continue and stand up for my son, for whatever I feel is best for him.
I hope for the strength to advocate for what I believe is right, even if no one in the room agrees.
I have seen the outcomes of my choices. I have seen the result of screen free and respectful parenting. I believe in what I am doing…
So I guess, in a way, writing about my parenting style is my own way of self advocating.