Don’t Be the Reason Why Your Children Struggle

Red-nosed Barry and her friend, Mousey

I don’t like the idea of leaving my stuffed koala, Barry, with anyone.

I allow people whom I deem trustworthy and close to hold Barry but not for more than two minutes.

I fiercely love Barry.

There is a children’s program at some public libraries around the country where children can bring their stuffed animals and leave them at the library overnight. When I overheard one librarian somewhere in Iowa describe this reading program to a little boy and his mother, I thought ‘I will never drop Barry off at a strange place. I should never be far from her.’

I mention this because I understand when some parents don’t want to let their children do their own thing even when their children are adults.

Actually, if Barry were up and about and almost as tall as me, I would let her be herself (however, if she were to argue with me about buying and taking drugs or if she said she experienced job kicking people in the face [no matter how soft her feet are], I would definitely draw the line and explain to her that treating others and herself well is better for her health and others’).

What I mean is that I understand that many parents out there are afraid to let their children move away. Many parents may feel reluctant letting their children (even when…