WE all have variouis responisibilities and duties. Some of those we choose and asometimes accept. Otheres are placed upon us by others or society or just because.
Being a kid brings abouit numerous sterotypes and generalities -- or jobs. -- Be cute and sweet. Grow up to be honest and caring. Push the envelope as far as you can. When they are little you know if there is a puddle, the little one is going to end up in it one way or the other. That is her/his job. That is part of being a kid.
Once they get tall enough to spell car they want one. That is their job. Do they accept responsiblity for the insurance or the gas or sometime even the sense of safety for themselves and others -- not always.
Parents/caring adults. Somewhere there is a handbook that has all the rules for being a parent or a caring adult. I have not found it but I just think it has to exist. A parent's job is to say no, there is a limit. Yes, it is fun to play in the street but my job is to keep you alive. Yes, running naked through the sprinkler used to be fun but at 16 that is not a good idea.
Sometimes the jobs are fun, sometimes not. Kids say the darnest things (another great TV series idea?). But at what point is it their job to push the envelope and at what point is it the parent job to say that is too far or at least far enough.
Teen-agers will push and go as close to the edge as they think possible. That is part of being a teen-agers. If the parent says that is okay, where is the edge now? When the kid pushes next time, where is the edge? Aren't they cute? -- or if a little older - aren't they funny? When is cute and funny a bit over the edge and maybe not all that bad but awfully close?
The job of kids is to push and test. The job of the parent/caring adult is to protect and balance. When is too far and when is way to close for comfort? Have we blurred the edge so much that kids have no idea what is acceptable or kind? At what point will we be sorry that we did not have that conversation one action ago?
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