Here is your justification to celebrate your eccentricities. The more "out there," the more fake Internet points you win!!
No parents adhere to the status quo in all areas as they are raising children. How have you chosen to push back on what society says is proper, and taken your own path?
One of my favorite contrarian moments occurred on a Saturday morning in the Washington DC suburbs. The kids were in their early teens and had been bickering with each other. I knew that working together on a task would force a teamwork. I was hoping for the added benefit of making a memory.
I woke them up at 8:30, tossed them $20 and two subway cards and told them I wanted two homemade pop tarts from Ted's Bulletin. My son loved the shakes and baked goodies at the restaurant in South East D.C. The trip was 60 miles round trip and included walking, the bus, and the subway. Eight hours later, I enjoyed the best pop tarts ever.
In the world of electronics, I limited our household to one TV. I didn't want everyone to disperse throughout the house to watch their own programs. This decision forced discussion and compromise. The troops nearly started a mutiny when I gave them a phone to share for two years in high school. My daughter recalled this grievous act.
An uproar exploded as one family was crucified, in the media, for choosing to raise "free-range" children. These parents allow the kids to have far more freedom than others think they should have at such a young age.
How did you cut loose or reign in your youngsters?
Phone?
Chores?
No chores?
A boyfriend?
No boyfriend?
Piercings where?
Dyed her hair pink?
In bed at what time?
Delayed driver's license?
A glass of wine at dinner?
How did these decisions impact your kids?
How did your circle of friends and greater society respond to these contrarian ideas?
Do you think you should push the boundaries further or reign in these renegade ideas?
What ideas are too crazy to implement? Is there a variation that is acceptable?