Boundaries

When our children are born we are constantly teaching them. Teaching right from wrong, good vs. bad, yes and no, all are boundaries being built within those young people. 

Recently it has come up in our life, reteaching our four year old about boundaries. Teaching him that he has a voice and that he will be heard. Teaching him that he is in charge of his body and actions and that he can speak up. 

Tickling, is something that happens all the time, but it can be uncomfortable or unwanted. It's a perfect example of using boundaries; Felix was being tickled the other day and he was telling the person to stop. The person kept going, Felix was getting visibly upset because we have been working on our "No, Stop!" and it clearly wasn't being heard. He pushed their hands away, turned around and was starting to cry. The person tickling him then said, "'you can't be mad at me." After all our hard work of teaching him, he has someone else pushing the limits...what does that teach him? Does that teach him that it's always ok to push limits? Does it teach him that it's ok not to respect others? Does it teach him that his voice isn't being heard? 

Why don't we listen when kids speak up?  Is it because some adults assume they don't know what they want? Is it because kids are "just kids"? I want my children and every child to learn that they too will be heard and that their boundaries will be respected! We are constantly teaching younger people that it is important to respect older people, but what about vice versa? 

RANT OVER!