Boundaries

I’m still thinking about teaching consent. One way we do that is through boundaries. When you care for or teach children, even very young children, it’s important for you to hold firm boundaries. I will admit that sometimes I feel like a jerk for saying no and holding a boundary. However, when you think about the long term effects on a developing brain, I think you’ll understand the importance. If a child is used to hearing no and continuing to ask, beg, and plead until the answer becomes yes, where will that lead them? Someone who doesn’t take no for an answer. This may lead them to the highest office in our country or, more likely, it could land them directly in jail. Either course feels like a failure if you’re walking over those that you care about as you will likely have trouble in all kinds of relationships with fellow humans. Isn’t being in community with others the key to success and life fulfillment? I believe that comes from holding boundaries, both your own and another’s. That comes from integrity, honesty, and accountability. Caregivers can model all of this early on and reinforce when children show these traits.