Fences and Rules
By Morley Hunt
@Morleyhunt (21741)
Canada
October 2, 2016 6:13am CST
When my children were young I used the fence analogy to explain rules.
You can push against the rules, and sometimes get a little slack. If you push too hard, the rules often become more defined and more strictly enforced.
Rules, like fences, are often intended to keep you safe.
We stood beside a chain link fence. I let the children push against the fence. Singly, they could move it a little. Working together, they could move it a little more. As soon as they released the pressure, the fence bounced back. The bounce back is often a little more than the initial location of the fence.
They also, despite their combined efforts, could not get through the fence.
Now years later, I hear my children explain to their children.....the rules are like a fence.....to keep you safe....
12 people like this
9 responses
@rebelann (117206)
• El Paso, Texas
2 Oct 16
Yes, it's the nature of offspring to reteach what they'd learned.
Just be glad you're the one who taught them, I've seen too many kids grow up learning from whatever maid their parents hired to watch them while they were off working and once those parents got home they'd expect that maid to continue to watch them because they were too pooped after a hard days work to bother with their kids and now they teach their kids what the maid taught them. So sad really.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
2 Oct 16
I didn't have the luxury of a maid....I was the chief cook and bottle washer. I was a stay at home mom who took in other children (babysitting), had a large vegetable garden, canned and froze fruits and veggies.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
3 Oct 16
That's a nice style . Us, my father being strict , we were to obey what he says . He is a disciplinarian though our mother is not much . But he loves us dearly and provided for us so well.
Now , we are with families , we are returning the love they gave us . And he has now mellowed . We can even kiss him as a greeting . 
1 person likes this
@LindaCPearson (2240)
• United States
4 Oct 16
Sounds like you passed on a very useful and appropriate message to your children.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
3 Oct 16
what a wonderful way to 'xplain 't to 'em. glad such's bein' passed down to those grands :)
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
2 Oct 16
When you have four children in five years, you learn to be creative in your explanations the child who arrived four years later, had the benefit of my acquired wisdom.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33591)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
2 Oct 16
@Morleyhunt Wow. That's a lot. I bet you're right.
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
2 Oct 16
It's great when your children teach their children with your examples. I love your picture.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
3 Oct 16
That would be five of my grand babies in a 'lineup'
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