Idle Parenting

Lucy does not take ballet or judo. She does not have playdates. We do not do enriching activities. She goes to school and comes home and plays quietly by herself for hours at a time. We ignore her until she invites us to participate ("Mom, sit here. You're in my class. Don't talk, just listen."). This just-getting-by school of parenting, like so many things in my life, is a tremendous source of guilt. But today, a friend at work sent me this article, and I feel liberated. The author makes a strong case for leaving kids alone, arguing that the neglect of their developing minds helps them, uh, develop. On their own.

So far, so good. I am proud to report that Lucy has never once said to me, "I'm bored."