I'm a believer

There is a model horse fair coming up next weekend. Evie and two close friends will be going. They are all madly working to prepare. There are lists to be made, stories written, costumes to sew, tack to make, barns to build. They have to go to the store to buy spray paint and beads and tacky wax. They need to calculate available time and plan wisely so they aren't caught unprepared at the show. They are sharing horses and ideas and "gear."

In contrast, Scott came home last night talking about the parenting discussions at work. Family rules that state that only reading or drawing are allowed before an enforced bedtime, infractions are measured by putting a marble in a jar, rules that are nonsensical and arbitrary and concern (genuine) about children's ability to "make good decisions" (i.e. what the parent wants).

No thanks. I am a believer in my own kid's ability to think and make decisions. Seems like that is the best way for her to practice. There may be failures, there may be successes, there may be disagreements--doesn't matter. We love her and we are believers.