Sarah Rosensweet Peaceful Parenting

“It is OKAY to do things for kids that they can do for themselves." - Sarah Rosensweet

When I saw one more reel from a parenting expert saying, “What are you doing for your child that they can do for themselves?” as she talked about her youngest resisting spreading the jam on the sandwich they were making for their school lunch saying, “I can’t!”- I knew I had to write about it.

Rudolph Dreikurs, a pioneering psychologist in the 1960s, said, “Never do for a child what they can do for themselves” because he thought that doing things for capable children prevented them from developing independence, responsibility and self-confidence. Maria Montessori said something very similar. While Dreikurs and Montessori were in many ways thought pioneers that contributed positively to how we view children today, I disagree with them and all the other parenting experts who tout the idea that we shouldn’t do things for kids that they can do for themselves.
I actually encourage parents to do things for their kids that they could do for themselves. There are a few reasons why…

Head to my substack to read the rest :)

[ID: Photo of a parent tying their child’s shoe, with the words “Go ahead, do things for your kids! In a culture that is SO focused on independence, there are benefits to doing things for your kids that they can do for themselves. Reimagine Peaceful Parenting with Sarah Rosensweet Substack”]

💔🐾🌈 Missing this sweet girl today. We had our Emmy for 14.5 years. She was well loved and I think she had a great life. 💔🐾🌈

Want straightforward advice on how to feed kids and protect them from diet culture? Jennifer Anderson, founder of Kids Eat in Color, will explain how to be “head chef” in your home!

You can listen to The Peaceful Parenting Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. We’ve included a fully edited transcript of our interview in our Substack post- link in bio :)

[ID: Photo of a child eating a plate of spaghetti. The words above say “Feeding Kids with Ease, Health and Joy: Episode 230” and the words below “Reimagine Peaceful Parenting with Sarah Rosensweet Substack”]

What happens when the people who raised us weren't emotionally mature? Morgan Pommells explains how this can shape our relationships, our sense of self, and the way we parent our own children.

You can listen to The Peaceful Parenting Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. We’ve included a fully edited transcript of our interview in our Substack post- link in bio :)

[ID: Photo of a teenager turning away from their parent with their hand up making a stop motion. The words above say “Emotionally Immature Parents with Morgan Pommells: Episode 229” and the words below “Reimagine Peaceful Parenting with Sarah Rosensweet Substack”]

Want to bring more joy and fun back into your life? Michaeleen Doucleff explains how screens and ultraprocessed foods are making us miserable by trapping us in a cycle of wanting without ever feeling rewarded.

You can listen to The Peaceful Parenting Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. We’ve included a fully edited transcript of our interview in our Substack post- link in bio :)

[ID: Photo of of a child under a blanket looking at a tablet. The words above say “Dopamine Kids and Setting Limits on Screens with Michaeleen Doucleff: Episode 228 ” and the words below “Reimagine Peaceful Parenting with Sarah Rosensweet Substack”]

“Children need to know that they matter, that someone in this big, scary, beautiful world thinks that they are the sun, moon, and stars all rolled into one lovable little human.” - LR Knost

Sometimes our jobs as parents can feel so overwhelming.

Make sure they eat healthy food, get enough sleep, and brush their teeth.

Find a daycare we feel good about, research the schools that might be the best fit.

Expose them to sports and creative pursuits.
Provide opportunities for social interaction.
Read every day.

The list goes on…

The good news is that the most important thing we do is simple.

The most important thing is that our child FEELS loved. That we are always in their corner. That we think they’re amazing.

Head to the link in bio to read the rest :)

[ID: Photo of a child with a huge smile on their face as they look at their parent, with the words “The most important job we have as parents is actually simple. Your child doesn't need a perfect parent or the perfect childhood. They need to know you'll always be in their corner. Reimagine Peaceful Parenting with Sarah Rosensweet Substack”]