Raising Kids
You know, my husband and I are having a terrific fight over how to raise our son.
What about?
He’s only 4 years old.
My husband thinks I’m putting too much pressure on him.
He thinks it’s the wrong thing to do.
I wouldn’t know.
I’m not even married yet!
That’s my problem.
I wish I had a husband to disagree with.
Her husband thinks they should put less pressure on their son.
Well, he thinks it’s important for kids to have time to be bored.
Bored?
Yes, he really said that.
Can you believe it?
Why does he think so?
Did he have time to be bored when he was a boy?
Well, he grew up in the countryside.
He said he had to find things for himself to do.
He says he feels sorry for kids these days because their days are so structured.
From this conversation, her husband probably has good memories of his childhood.
Her husband thinks she should put less pressure on their son.
Hmm, I see his point.
But things have changed a lot since he was a boy.
That’s exactly what I told him.
Then he started getting angry.
That doesn’t sound like him.
He’s usually so calm and reserved.
In fact, I can’t ever remember hearing him express an opinion.
Well, the other day our boy said he didn’t like one of his teachers.
It’s an English teacher.
And that got my husband’s attention.
What happened?
He got angry and said he wasn’t happy with all the emphasis on English and math.
He said I should find someplace for our boy to do more of what he wants to do.
He said to find the class or teacher who encourages kids to explore things.
That sounds a bit idealistic.
That’s what I told him.
Then he said it’s important to learn how to be independent and not always dependent on being told what to do.
He said that can develop creativity and the love of learning.
Certainly.
But what happens when he is behind of other kids in school?
Won’t he be discouraged?
He said to let the boy deal with it and see what happens.
Some people are competitive and some aren’t.
What does she think might happen to a child with falling behind others in school ? She worries that the child might be discouraged.
She worries that the child might be discouraged.
People who are reserved don't usually show their feelings.
To be idealistic means to be a bit unrealistic.
Anyway, it’s an interesting point of view.
It may work for some kids and not for others.
What about your boy?
What do you think?
He has a good imagination.
Sometimes he talks to himself that he really likes music and dancing.
He has a lot of energy.
Sometimes it’s exhausting to be around him.
I guess if I were you I'd just give him a lot of choices and see where his interest take him.
And he needs a place where he can use all that energy.
Yes, that’s what my husband wants to do.
I just get nervous because all his friends are taking classes.
I don’t want him to fall behind.
What this conversation mostly about ? It's about how to develop a child's imagination and creativity.
She doesn't want their son to fall behind and get discouraged.
I don’t know what to say.
Maybe you can do some research and see what others advise.
I’m sure you're not the only one facing this problem.
At least your husband is taking an interest.
If I ever get married, I hope my husband will be as involved as yours is.
But he has to help you with this and not just complain.
Yes, that’s what we are fighting about.
I can’t be expected to do this on my own.
We have to do this together.
Good luck.
And wish me luck in finding a husband, okay.
They both think her husband should help more and not just complain.
I guess if I were you I'd just give him a lot of choices and see where his interest take him.
