TEACHING CHILDREN TO STAND ON THEIR OWN TWO FEET
The experts emphasize the importance of parents taking a primary role in raising their kids and ensuring the family rules are being followed. Clinical Psychologist, Emre Konuk, guest speaker invited by Buca Guidance and Research Center, delivered a seminar to 550 guidance teachers on family therapy and post-traumatic solutions at the event hosted by Izmir University of Economics (IUE).
Konuk reported that parents go between disciplining their children and free range parenting. Konuk said, “Parents go back and forth between two extremes: disciplining them and raising them more liberally. They try to base their attitudes accordingly. Too much discipline harms a child. We need to think free of these concepts. These are not practical. What we are really talking about here is rules. When it comes to putting these rules into practice, parents need to take a primary role and take responsibility in implementing them. They have the power. When raising children, their intelligence, decision-making skills, and emotional maturity also improves”.
Konuk, who indicated the importance of children being raised liberally and respecting the family rules at the same time, stated the following:
“This seems like a paradox but it is in fact one of the most important factors of child development. Major function of a family is to foster independence in their children in a way that states to them that they are capable of handling life effectively and successfully. When it is time to stand on their two feet, children need to be able to earn their life, take care of daily life matters, make a family of their own, and have a career. It is possible to have equal relationship after leaving the family. Respect can be maintained.”