Walk the balance beam.

There is a balance beam that every teacher and every parent needs to walk with children. That is the balance beam of love and limits. All children need both love and limits. There are some adults who think loving children means giving them everything they want. That makes the balance beam topple away from all limits. Love is much tougher than that. It takes courage to say “no” to a child you love. It takes courage to set boundaries and follow through. Loving children is helping them to be the best they can be—preparing them for the real adult world. It’s a feeling of the heart, a feeling that makes it all worth it—the long hours and all the work that you do. .

Limits are part of the structure that children need. They need to know the rules. If there are so many rules that it is impossible to remember them all, the balance beam topples to the side of limits. The limits need to provide structure while also allowing children to express themselves, to grow into their full potential.

Today and always as you care for children, stay in the middle of the balance beam and make sure it doesn’t topple to either side. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day.

Maryln