5 year old ds, I feel I should be a more positive, interested inputting parent, any thoughts?

[suzywong]

Hello

The eldest of my fragrant boys is 5.5 and in year 1. He's a dear little soul, very kind and sweet and bright. And it's all good, however I feel there are things I should be doing , you know working on his strengths and coaching him through weaknesses, teaching self discipline and self reliance blah blah blah blah, all that kind of stuff.

What aspects of parenting did you put in to place for boys of this age group?

[HallgerdaLongcloak]

If your DS doesn't have weaknesses that are sufficiently irritating that you really have to sort them out, I'd just enjoy his company. As for self discipline and self reliance, isn't controlled benign neglect the best way forward - I mean, allowing him to make his own mistakes and take the consequences without you fussing over him and over-protecting him.

When DS1 was 5, I had two younger boys and was far too busy to "put in to place" any "aspects of parenting", and I don't think it did him any harm.

[suzywong]

Hmmmm....I think you could well be right
I've just been away from him for 2.5 weeks for the first time in his life and I think I have a backlash of guilt, but that shouldn't translate in to hot housing or picking him up on things should it?

He's got a wart on his thumb, I think I 'll focus on that