Ed on Simplicity Parenting

Brad, I admire your persistence to keep your kids free for creative time, but at ages 1 and 3 I can tell you it will only get harder. I'm not saying you won't keep your commitment, just that it will get tougher and tougher. Unfortunately, the world is racing and free time is viewed by many as wasted time these days. I don't agree with that view, but it is a prominently held view.

Your recollection and memory of us as boys "being kicked outside to go do something" should also be complimented with my memory of our parents giving us a healthy urging to "get involved in structured activities that filled our spare time with something other than mischief". As with most things, I think it's a balance. Everything in moderation, but that doesn't seem to be our societal urge. Quite the opposite, really.

Holly and I have received periodic sighs and groans from some family members who surely believe our kids are too busy. But we don't believe that to be true. We believe that having busy and active kids keeps them engaged in activities other than video games and promotes a healthy lifestyle. They are learning invaluable time management skills and the learning through experience what can be achieved from committing their passion, energy and commitment to something. They are in team and individual sports. They are learning to play piano, and even composing their own music! Competency and skill development comes in several forms. And the competencies I've mentioned above are equally important to success in adult life as the competencies you are promoting with your parenting strategy.

My point is, I don't think there's a simple answer or formula for success - in parenting or in life. And that's why thousands of books from thousands of authors have been written on this topic. The solutions, perspectives and tips are nearly endless.

So the only parenting advice I would offer is this ... BE A PARENT and be engaged in your kids lives. Don't sit on the sideline. If you don't parent your kids may make bad choices, and you'll regret not being more involved in guiding them.

And one other key point - no one is entitled to tell someone else how to raise their kids. I've learned this from seeing the best kids come from completely different parenting approaches. Everyone gets to raise their kids the way they believe is best. Spank or timeout. Pay for college or make your own way. Car or bike. Busy or not. When others start to give advice to parents about how to raise children I believe they've crossed the line. Our kids are our kids, your kids are your kids, so the decisions we make as parents as to how to handle our parenting duties are up to us.