I came across something online recently, and while it didn’t grab my attention at first, it stuck with me. I shared it on my page because I thought it was clever and made sense. But as time went on, it got me thinking more deeply about how we, as parents and society, raise our children—and what we then expect from them as they grow older.

Take, for example, an article I read about taking kids to the theatre. The story revolved around two men and their differing approaches. One had been taking his child to the theatre since they were two years old, while the other preferred to wait until his child was older to avoid the embarrassment of dealing with a noisy toddler. The first father argued that his child needed to learn how to behave in different social settings, while the second believed that waiting until his child was older would naturally resolve the issue.

I can see both sides of the argument, but I’m increasingly leaning towards the idea of exposing my child to new situations earlier so they can learn how to handle them. It makes more sense to me now—I can help guide them through whatever situation may arise and teach them the appropriate behavior as they experience it.

This brings me back to the poster I saw. I don’t want to raise a child who blindly follows authority without questioning why. Don’t get me wrong—I firmly believe in teaching our children morals and values. But it’s also clear that what is right isn’t always legal, and what is legal isn’t always right. Take the life of Nelson Mandela, for instance—his trials and tribulations are a perfect example.

With all this in mind, I’ve decided (and I realize this is going to make parenting a lot more challenging) to actively encourage my little ones to ask “WHY.” I want them to question what’s being asked of them for two key reasons:

1. Critical Thinking: I believe it’s important for them to get into the habit of figuring out why they’re doing something, either by reasoning it out themselves or by asking for an explanation.
2. Mindful Parenting: This approach will also require me to have a clear reason for everything I ask them to do, encouraging me to be more thoughtful and intentional in my parenting.

I’m sure there will be times when this will backfire and bite me in the ass, but overall, I believe this will strengthen their resolve and encourage an inquisitive nature. I want my kids to understand what they’re doing and why, so they can make informed decisions based on the moral compass their mother and I are helping to build. Hopefully, this will lead to them being more confident and satisfied with the choices they make.

Am I crazy? Maybe. But parenting is about doing what’s best for your children, even if it’s tough in the beginning. I believe that by fostering this mindset, I’ll be raising stronger, more independent children in the long run.