Calling out all moms today on this sunny crisp Tuesday morning. Greetings ladies! Hope you all celebrated your womanhood yesterday.

If there is anything I am on the fence about, it's the topic of nurturing too much vs. too little. Encouraging our kids vs. being tough on them when needed. Aah, the joys of parenting and all the confusion that comes with it! Providing for your children's physical needs, like food, clothing and shelter, is pretty straightforward. However, providing for your children's emotional needs is an entirely different beast. Every child is different, and you probably see it in your own house, that your nurturing style differs with each child based on their character. I can throw my three year old into pretty much any new situation, and he's off with a big smile. My big son is cautious, sometimes hesitant, and asks MANY questions about anything new. But my confusion always comes in the form of: Do I nurture right now or should I be tough right now?

So off we went on Saturday to the bank. This was his first trip to the bank for himself. I gave him his bank card, and we waited in line. He spoke to the teller. I would like to deposit this into my bank account please. It's my tooth fairy money, he said nicely to the lady behind the counter. She smiled sweetly at him. He barely cleared the counter. I asked her if he could sign for the deposit. No problem, she explained. So, my son handed her the money, she counted it, and gave him the paper to sign his name. He slowly signed his first name only and was beaming with pride. I explained to him that even though his wallet was empty, the money wasn't gone, but that it was safe at the bank and there for his future.

Next stop the toy store. So, down the street we went, and he was excited! How much is that? he asked, and then saw it was $34.99. I saw the disappointment in his eyes, but he instantly moved on. He then went to the next toy: $13.99. Mommy I can get this AND something else. We spent 45 minutes looking, budgeting, tallying, etc It was a great lesson for him. He had big eyes, and saw what he had to spend, and what he couldn't afford. It was a super exercise. One I highly suggest.

But seriously, I am constantly on the fence about when to cut the kids some slack, and when I have to be tough on them to not raise a wimp or a child without a backbone. There is such a fine line. For what it's worth, this is what I find helpful in handling the delicate balance of nurturing and encouraging your children, and putting your foot down and being tough when necessary:

• There is a no-tolerance policy for rudeness. Ok, you want to stay home from ballet today, no problem. You want to eat in your tent in the basement instead of the kitchen table every now and then, no problem. You wanna stay up late one night to watch your favorite show, no problem. But we do not tolerate rudeness or disrespect. Period.
• No idle threats, moms. Ever found yourself saying: Get dressed now or we're staying home, to which they reply, Ok, I'm staying home. AND THEN YOU GO ANYHOW. No way moms! Never give idle threats. You must follow through on any threat so your kids know you mean business. It's ok to give a warning, but if they do not listen, there must be consequences for their actions. I am VERY good at this. Never given one idle threat yet.
• Hubby and I are sometimes guilty of this, but mom and dad must stand united. If you say no five times to a chocolate bar, and they run to daddy and he says yes, you got a big problem. Kids learn quickly how to play one parent vs. the other. So, sit down and discuss this with your significant other the rules of the house. Parents need to be united when it comes to core values, and discipline.

Ladies, I wish you good luck in raising great kids, with good values and a backbone. I'd love to hear what your parenting issues and concerns are. Are you on the fence about child rearing issues? Write em here!

PS My dad forwarded this to me, and my little son overheard it, and has been walking around saying he's a CORK SOAKER! Oy! Watch this!

xoxEDxox

www.WomenOnTheFence.com

Erica Diamond, Women On The Fence
		About the author:
		With 18 years sales experience, and 14 years marketing experience, Erica is a born entrepreneur. Erica started Unique Corporate Gifts, a promotional products company she sold 3 years ago. Her business journey has awarded her a Promie Award, Top 40 under 40 Entrepreneur Award, Top 30 under 30 Entrepreneur Award, among numerous others, and finally, The Profit Hot 50 Award - 1 of Canada's 50 Emerging Growth Companies.
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