>I think what is important in parenting is that our children should be =
>encouraged to make choices that lead to greater independence, but I =
>think it is more important for them to know that they can regress and it =
>is okay.

I'm not disagreeing with the heart and spirit of this post, it was a lovely
post.  I do want to point out that it isn't 'regression' when children want
to do something that is appropriate for their age.  A 15 year old wetting
the bed because he is stressed, that's regression.  A 4 year old wanting to
nurse even if he was weaned, should not be considered regression.

I also think that children don't need to 'make choices' that lead to
greater independence.  I think that independence develops naturally when
and as the child is ready.  There is no need for the child to 'choose'
independence, or for the parent to encourage or discourage it -- you can
just let it unfold and develop in its own time, and it will.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.                         email:
[log in to unmask]
Anthropology Department                               phone: (409) 845-5256
Texas A&M University                                    fax: (409) 845-4070
College Station, TX  77843-4352
http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/dettwyler.html

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html