Lesson 1: Stop tying their shoes.

I was the mom who ran out onto the basketball court to tie my son’s shoes.

My issue was not about shoes. It was about solving my child’s problem for him. My behavior was a bit embarrassing – or so he said.

I starting seeing myself reflected in other parents who hover over their children.  It wasn’t a pretty picture. I didn’t want to be one of them. But there I was.

I started reading everything I could get my hands on about over parenting and helicopter parenting.  One of the books that stopped me in my tracks was “The Price of Privilege” by Madeline Levine, Ph.D.  She says:

“Parents who persistently fall on the side of intervening for their child as opposed to supporting their child’s attempts to problem-solve, interfere with the most important task of childhood and adolescence: the development of self.”

Three years, many mistakes and Montessori school experience later, Jeff and I started paving the road to create a real and meaningful way for children to become independent, lifelong learners. This road led to the creation of Acton Academy with a mission deeply entrenched in our hearts.

And to this day, neither of my boys tie their shoes very well. 

(Stay tuned for my 2nd hardest lesson.)