99. "defense..deFENSE....DEFENSE clap/cheer" In response to In response to 96
>Adults must understand that the labels children use are not >crucial to family success. What is important is that children >are given the freedom to choose which labels are most >comfortable. For example, don't force them to call a >stepparent "mommy" but don't scold them for doing so either. >Children need to be granted permission to use whatever term is >most fitting (as long as it conveys a basic level of respect). >Telling a child, “feel free to call me Sandra if you like” >or “when you are at your mother’s house this weekend, >it’s okay with me if you call your stepdad ‘Daddy >Tom’—it doesn’t hurt my feelings” is a grace gift to >children. It relieves them of worrying about your feelings and >frees them to love. > > >this, smart-guy, is the most common philosophy espoused on >every site I can find. I'll be going against this philosophy >when I tell him to not call me dad.