Comments on: 5 Best Ways to Raise Problem Solvers

By: janet

janet — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 22:22:19 +0000

In reply to Karen. My pleasure!!!

By: janet

janet — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 22:21:21 +0000

In reply to Sabine. Not sure where you've gone with this, but it seems you are misunderstanding. "Does that mean that the undergirding assumption that inauthentic, outer-directed, and distrustful children who problem solve is the formula for the future?" No, that's not what I am saying. I'm acknowledging that Magda's teachings promote values that not everyone agrees with as necessary for an unknown future. I happen to agree VERY MUCH with the importance of authenticity and inner-directedness, empathy, compassion and everything else that Magda stood for. But for those that don't, they might at least agree that the world will always need people who can solve problems, because no matter what the world looks like in the future, there are sure to always be new problems to solve.

By: Sabine

Sabine — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 07:42:53 +0000

I’m really confused by this sentence, alarmed even; can you please elaborate? “One might not agree with Magda’s view that authenticity, inner-directedness, and what she referred to as a “realistic trust in the world” will always be useful to our children as they navigate the future. But there is one asset we can surely all agree on: problem solving.”

Does that mean that the undergirding assumption that inauthentic, outer-directed, and distrustful children who problem solve is the formula for the future? Where does that leave us as humans? Perhaps I’ve been an expat in Ireland for too long and have lost touch with how people think in the US, and maybe the way to survive is to be an empty shell with a mask for others who can solve problems, but it seems to me, that having a grounding in who you are, and less inclined to sway with the ever-shifting vagaries of what people outside of you think is important is key for stable mental health! I’d love a clarification of that, both as a parent and as a human, as I think I will be leading my child down the path of authenticity and inner directed-ness as well! Also, as a first-generation kid in the US who did *not* have a ‘realistic’ trust in the world (my parents lived through war and fascism, and did not trust US capitalism either; called it a jungle without a safety net), I never felt safe in the US where my peers did. I think that feeling of safety or belief in the basic all-rightness in the world would have opened doors and allowed me to try things that I otherwise wouldn’t have as a child growing up in California. Please explain!

By: Sandra

Sandra — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 22:34:01 +0000

In reply to Maria BQ. This is exact same I'm going through right now with my parents, and as much as I try to talk and explain them what I'm trying to do and what benefits my daughter is like talking to a wall at times. Is quite infuriating

By: MrJim

MrJim — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:09:44 +0000

Ok, I’m all for problem solving and letting kids learn by trying. But the foam pit at a bouncy place is an exception that proves the rule. Haha. I’ve got 30 minutes with three kids at about 25 bucks. Please don’t make us wait 5 minutes while a tike cuts his/her teeth on getting out of a foam pit. Otherwise, great article.

By: Ishani

Ishani — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 09:18:03 +0000

Hi Janet, sending you a big hug from India. Your advice has probably not only provided me with the right tools to transform my parenting ideas into reality but it has also changed the way my husband and I look at parenting.

Since, I have a few strong views on the mainstream/ factory school, I am working on building a community where my daughter can play/ learn and just be a baby.

It would be great if you could guide me on creating a free space based on RIE principles. Also, while I have been practicing RIE with my 5 month old since day 1; the other parents haven’t been practicing. While, I will read your blogpost for parents who wish to change track, it will be great if you could let me know if any additional points to consider.

I feel so blessed to have come across your work, I wish to make more and more parents in India realise the importance of RIE parenting.

Many many Thanks!

By: Maria BQ

Maria BQ — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:37:31 +0000

Dear Janet,
I have discovered your website last week and I am reading as much as possible every day. With some ideas I was familiar and to a certain point – not very advanced 🙁 – I have applied independent play and restraining from helping.
I wanted to ask you if you have any article about a parent using RIE principles but any other caretaker using the common approach. I believe that even if I am the only one using these techniques, they will have a good impact, but I still get disappointed when I see other’s cutting my daughter’s opportunities to develop.
An example would be that at 18 months Mirriam was able to go dawn the stairs alone. Then my mother started to help me by spending a few hours a day with her. Even if Mirriam was able to go dawn the stairs alone my mother didn’t let her do that because she was afraid – aaaaaah so selfish! – and now she does not want to do it anymore. Not even by the hand. I am extremely frustrated with my mother.
What advice do you have for these situations? To keep her away from relatives that don’t want to improve their approach would seem a bit too much to me, but honestly I feel at times that I hate them.
Thank you a lot for your advises, they will be like water in the desert
Maria

By: Children Of America

Children Of America — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 19:06:01 +0000

Great post. I really enjoyed reading it and watching the videos.

By: Chris Lewis

Chris Lewis — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 04:43:46 +0000

Thanks

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 10:18:51 +0000

Thank you.