“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today” – Stacia Tauscher.

As parents, we often focus on the future, thinking about the adults our children will grow up to be. However, we must not forget the importance of who they are right now—unique individuals with thoughts, ideas, and feelings of their own. One of the most powerful gifts we can give our children is the freedom of expression.

This article delves into why giving your child this freedom is critical for their development and how you can foster it effectively.

Understanding Freedom of Expression for Children

Freedom of expression is the right to share ideas, opinions, and feelings without fear of repression, as long as it doesn’t harm others. For children, this freedom extends beyond speech. It encompasses their right to explore thoughts through art, writing, and any form of creative or intellectual expression. Just like adults, children deserve the space to express themselves, whether through words, drawings, or actions.

Children also have fundamental rights that parallel those of adults—freedom of thought, movement, religion, and the right to privacy. These liberties empower them to voice their concerns and participate in decisions that affect their lives, including opinions that might differ from those of their parents. Encouraging this freedom helps children develop confidence, autonomy, and self-worth.

Why Freedom of Expression Is Vital for Children

Allowing children to express themselves plays a pivotal role in their emotional and cognitive development. Philosopher Stuart Mill once emphasized that freedom of expression is essential for society because it allows people to share their ideas, sparking progress and innovation. This idea applies just as much to children—they need the opportunity to contribute their voices to the world around them.

The freedom to express also helps children better understand themselves. Through self-expression, they can explore their emotions, clarify their thoughts, and build problem-solving skills. When children are encouraged to speak up, they learn to stand up for their rights and the rights of others.

1. The Power of Expression in Children’s Rights

Children’s freedom of expression is protected under international laws, including Article 13 of the Child Rights International Network (CRIN). This article emphasizes that every child has the right to express themselves freely through various forms of communication, whether it’s speech, writing, art, or media. The exercise of this right can be subject to restrictions to protect public safety or the rights of others, but its core purpose is to foster the child’s ability to seek and share knowledge.

By allowing children the space to express themselves, we help them understand how their rights are respected or infringed upon. Moreover, it teaches them to advocate for the rights of others. This sense of responsibility and empathy develops only when children are granted the opportunity to voice their concerns.

2. Balancing Rights with Responsibilities

With the freedom to express comes the responsibility to respect the opinions of others. It’s important to teach children that their words have power and that with this power comes the need to listen and be open to differing viewpoints. Disagreement is a natural part of communication, and children should learn to engage in respectful dialogue, even when opinions clash.

Parents must also ensure their children understand when to disengage, especially in the digital age. If faced with hate speech or misinformation, such as a harmful rumor spread through social media, it’s essential to teach them the value of blocking or reporting harmful content rather than perpetuating it.

3. Setting Healthy Boundaries for Expression

While it’s important to give children the freedom to express themselves, parents also need to set healthy boundaries. Freedom of expression doesn’t mean allowing children to say or do anything without consequence. Instead, it’s about providing a safe space where they can express themselves without fear of punishment, while still understanding the importance of respect, fairness, and kindness.

Children should be free to share their thoughts, but they should also understand that their words have an impact. Just as George Washington once said, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter,” it’s crucial that we don’t silence children. Instead, we should guide them in using their voice responsibly.

4. Encouraging Creativity and Self-Expression

Creativity is a natural extension of freedom of expression. Children are naturally imaginative, and fostering that creativity can have lasting benefits for their development. When children are given the space to create, they not only build confidence but also develop problem-solving skills and resilience.

For example, asking a child to draw or write in a journal is a great way to help them express their feelings and ideas. If your child says, “This is boring,” it’s important not to dismiss their feelings. Instead, gently encourage them to try different activities, whether it’s drawing, building with blocks, or crafting with simple materials. The goal is to provide them with the tools they need to explore their creativity in a way that feels meaningful to them.

5. Building Confidence Through Freedom of Expression

Allowing children the freedom to express their thoughts without fear of judgment builds confidence. When a child feels heard, they are more likely to develop strong communication skills and self-esteem. This confidence becomes crucial as they grow, helping them navigate social situations and handle challenges with resilience.

Encouraging self-expression also helps children develop empathy. When children learn to articulate their thoughts, they become better at understanding the feelings of others. This is a powerful tool for building healthy relationships and learning to navigate the complexities of social interactions.

6. Creating Spaces for Expression

To nurture your child’s creativity and freedom of expression, it’s helpful to designate a space in your home where they can explore their ideas. This doesn’t have to be a fancy setup—just a small area where they have access to tools like paper, crayons, or blocks. By giving them the resources and space to create, you’re giving them the freedom to express themselves in their unique way.

Encourage them to share their creations, but avoid being overly critical. It’s important to praise their effort and creativity, even if the result doesn’t match your expectations. The process of expression is what matters most.

Freedom of expression is a vital component of a child’s development, allowing them to communicate, explore, and understand the world around them. By providing your child with the space and tools to express themselves, you’re giving them the opportunity to grow into confident, empathetic individuals. As parents, it’s our responsibility to guide them, set healthy boundaries, and teach them to use their voice respectfully and responsibly. In doing so, we prepare them for a world where their thoughts and ideas can make a real impact.

Parenting is the only job where you’re actually supposed to be fired after 18 years of hard work and dedication, and we all know that going in. That doesn’t make letting go any easier. In fact, I daresay it’s the hardest part of raising kids. Let’s discuss!

From the moment our babies roll over for the first time, it feels like they’re constantly moving away from us. As Deborah Mitchell once said, “As a parent, you quickly realize that life is one long series of letting go: watching your kid crawl, then walk, then run, and then drive away.”

We all KNOW that letting go is a big part of this whole parenting job. That doesn’t make it any easier, though! And it’s not even something that we can do just once. You can’t just “rip off the band-aid” and be done with it. It’s something we do over and over and over again.

Every “first” that our kids have requires us to let them go and fly on their own in some way. First steps, the first day of school, first time driving on their own, first date, first love, first apartment. Heck, even the first time they choose their own outfit requires some form of letting go (at the very least, you have to let go of the notion that clothes should match!).

No matter how many times we let go, it still takes our breath away

You would think that with the number of times we let go over the years, we’d get used to it. Yet every single time, it fills us with such an overwhelming sense of nostalgia that it practically knocks the breath right out of us.

Case in point, I called my friend up the other day and I could tell by her voice that she was crying. I knew her son had a physical that day. So, I asked her what was wrong, fearing that the answer would be something horrible. Her breath hitching, she said, “He needed a shot. As I was signing the consent form, I realized that this was the very last time I would ever need to do that. He’ll be 18 at his next physical!”

She said spent hours looking at baby pictures and crying over how fast her son grew up. Because nostalgia is contagious, that led to ME flipping through old pictures and lamenting over how fast MY kids are growing.

Why is letting go so hard?

Later on, once the tears dried up (for now), I realized why letting go is the hardest part of raising kids. It’s not so much the act itself, but all of the conflicting emotions that accompany it. Think about it. We feel:

Fear, anxiety, and worry. Is it the right time to let go? Will our kids be okay out there in the big (and sometimes, bad) world? What if something happens?

Pride, both for them and ourselves. We’re so proud of them for getting to the point where they can do this (whatever “this” may be) on their own, and of US for doing such a good job getting them there.

Awe. It takes courage on their part to step out from under our protective shadow and spread their wings to fly, and that is the very definition of “awesome.”

Excitement! We can’t wait to see what they’ll do with their freedom and who they’ll become on their own!

Sadness. Each step they take on their own is a step that they’re taking away from us.

Finally, the nostalgia sets in, which is when we find ourselves staring at baby pictures wishing we could go back in time. Not to change anything, but just to relive those magical moments when our babies still needed us wholly and completely.

We need to let them go so they can realize their potential

“Letting go does not mean abandoning your child. It means allowing your child to learn responsibility and to feel capable.” I don’t know who said that, but it’s something we all need to hear as parents.

Every child deserves to feel like they can do anything and be anyone. When you let go, you’re telling them that you believe in them. You’re saying, “I know you’ve got this!” You’re not only letting them know that they’re capable of great potential, but also that it’s THEIR responsibility to realize that potential.

Just because you let them go doesn’t mean they let you go

There’s a really great quote by Hodding Carter, Jr. that says, “There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.” If we do this whole parenting thing right, we never truly let go of our kids because we ARE those roots. We’re always with them, always a part of them, no matter how far away their wings may take them.

I’ll leave you with one last quote. Kevin Heath wrote, “As your kids grow, they may forget what you said, but won’t forget how you made them feel.” We only have so many years to instill in our kids all of the values that matter most in this world, and they go by so fast. Spend that time making them feel like they can do anything they set their minds to, and they just might change the world. The only way you can do that, though, is by letting go and giving them the chance to show you just how high they can fly.

Our parents give us so many things throughout our lifetime. From before our birth to our childhood and even into our adult years, they never stop giving…even when it means giving up their own wants and needs. We never appreciate just how much they do for us until we become parents ourselves. Even then, sometimes we don’t know until it’s too late and they’re gone. So, let’s change that. Read on for 10 things all parents secretly sacrifice to make their kids’ lives better. Then, go thank mom and dad for everything they did for you.

Things Parents Secretly Sacrifice to Make Their Kids’ Lives Better

I came across this great quote the other day that said, “Appreciate your parents. You never know what sacrifices they went through for you.” It really made me think about the things that we all give up for our kids, which in turn made me realize that our own parents gave up the same things for us. From small sacrifices to major life changes, here are the top ten things that parents give up to make sure their kids have a better life.

1. Sleep

Sleep deprivation is so common in early parenthood that it’s almost an inside joke among moms and dads. In fact, one survey actually shows that brand-new parents lose about 2-3 HOURS of sleep each night (assuming 8 hours for an average night’s sleep pre-baby)

Here’s the thing, it doesn’t end when our babies start sleeping through the night. It lasts throughout their entire childhood and beyond. Although it’s not as extreme as that first year, parents of young kids still lose roughly 6-9 hours a week, or about the equivalent of one solid night’s sleep.

Think about it for a moment. We take turns staying up all night making sure our kids don’t wander those first nights in their “big kid” bed. The night before their first day of kindergarten, our nerves keep us tossing and turning. When they announce that they want to be Elsa instead of Anna for Halloween, we stay up all night transforming their costume. The list goes on and on…as do the sleepless nights.

2. Peace of mind

Everyone has worries some of the time, but before you have kids, you at least have the possibility of a reprieve. You know that once you take care of your responsibilities, you can just totally relax and unwind, let the worries fade away if only for a little while.

Once your children come along, though, you will always, always, always have at least one worry nagging at the back of your mind. Even when you think you’re feeling pretty Zen-like, that little voice is whispering, “What if….?” Peace of mind becomes a total thing of the past.

Just how much time do parents spend worrying? While there aren’t any major scientific studies, the results of one survey found that we moms and dads clock an insane 37 hours of worry time a week. That’s literally a full-time job!

3. A reliable schedule

The moment our kids enter the world (either late or early, of course, because very few babies are born on their due date), schedules went out the window. All the color-coded family calendars in the world can’t account for tantrums, sick days, and scavenger hunts for your shoes.

The sad thing? Many employers know that parents put their kids before the job, so they discriminate against them, and it’s not even entirely illegal in most states. So that unreliable schedule costs more than just the idea of an orderly life, it can cost us a job.

4. The ability to be spontaneous

Sure, to our kids, it seems like we’re total free spirits, surprising them with weekend trips or fun outings. We know, though, that all those “unplanned” moments revolved entirely around them. We parents secretly sacrifice the ability to take our own spontaneous trips or accept last-minute party invitations.

The thing is, our parents never once complained about giving up all of that spontaneity. They never made us feel guilty because they had to turn down that great offer to go on a cruise with friends or miss out on the movie they wanted to see on opening night to take us to see the latest Disney flick instead. They just quietly gave up their own freedom for us.

5. Privacy

Privacy is a totally foreign concept to kids, at least until they become teenagers and demand it for themselves (but very rarely give it to you in return). We parents forget what it was like to go to the bathroom alone or take a shower in peace. We also quickly learn that anything we say (even when they thought you weren’t listening) will be broadcast to just the wrong person at just the wrong time.

My friend’s mom has a great story about this! When her brother was little, he told the doctor right in the middle of an exam, “My mom is in love with Harrison Ford. She wants to marry him!” Her mom turned beet red! The funny thing is, this is probably the least horrifying example of how our kids say totally mortifying things about us.

6. Time

Have you ever really thought about how much time we devote entirely to our kids? Here’s a hint- it’s pretty much every waking moment of the first 18 years of their life. We only take a little “me time” after making sure all their needs AND wants were met. Then, we felt bad about it (it’s one of the top 5 reasons moms feel guilty all the time).

If you’re curious, the Bureau of Labor Statistics actually broke down how much time parents spend caring for their kids which kind of bothers me. According to their research, we only spend about an hour a day directly caring for children under the age of 18.

Studies and surveys like that leave out so much, though. Maybe the number of words that we speak or direct attention to (tying their shoes, playing on the floor, etc) doesn’t add up to much, but remember, we’re spending 37 hours a week just worrying about them. Plus, there’s so much more to parenting than just directly interacting with our kids.

7. Friends

When you have kids, it’s hard to stay close to your childless friends. Sure, you try, but your kids come first. After a while, they stop inviting you places because you keep canceling last minute when Tommy gets the flu or Susie has a nightmare. You realize you’re fine with that because you have nothing in common with them anymore.

Before you know it, your “best friend for life” becomes just another person on your Christmas card list and your new social circle is made up entirely of the parents of Susie and Tommy’s friends. It may not sound like a major sacrifice. Growing apart is part of growing up, after all, but it still hurts every now and then to realize that you’ve lost touch with everyone you once knew.

8. Wants

When you’re a parent, your wants come last, plain and simple. Forget the Maslow hierarchy of needs chart, you live by a whole new pyramid. It goes: your child’s needs, your basic life-sustaining needs, your child’s wants, your “important but can still live without them” needs, your wants.

Even when we do have a little extra cash to take care of our wants, we’re more likely to spend it on something we know our kids would love instead. It’s not that we’re spoiling our kids or anything, we just have new priorities. We’d rather see their little faces light up when we surprise them with the latest Squishee than buy a new pair of shoes that we don’t even need.

9. Career aspirations

Times have changed just enough to make it possible to have both kids and a satisfying job, true. However, we parents (both mom and dad) tend to choose the “safer” career path rather than chase an unstable dream.

Maybe you’d love nothing more to live a life of adventure as an archaeologist, but your kids need stability and a real place to call home. So, you choose the path that guarantees food on the table and a roof over your head, even if it’s one you never wanted to take.

10. Comfort Zones

This one is harder to sum up in a short and snappy heading. When we have kids, the imaginary boundaries that outline our “comfort zones” become blurred to the point of extinction. For example, you may be a highly anxious non-confrontational person, but when your child is wronged, they are relying on you to make it right.

You have no choice but to step way outside that comfort zone and stand up for them. It may not sound like a big deal to some, but to those with anxiety, it’s perhaps the greatest sacrifice of all.

Your parents made all the same sacrifices, so stop taking them for granted

Here’s the thing about all those things we parents secretly sacrifice for our kids- your parents made them, too. Just like we sometimes think our kids take us for granted, our parents often felt unappreciated. Yet, they kept on giving their all. They tried their best, every moment of every day because we were worth it.

If you’re lucky enough to still have your parents in your life, take advantage of the time you have left with them. Call them up and thank them. Take them out to lunch. Plan a trip home to see them. In other words, don’t wait until they’re gone to realize just how much they mean to you. You’ll regret it.

I’ll leave you with another great quote that sums it up perfectly: “Love your parents and treat them with loving care. For you will only know their value when you see their empty chair.”

“A parent’s love is whole no matter how many times divided.” – Robert Brault

“Love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark to have been loved so deeply .. will give us some protection forever.” – J.K. Rowling

“When you look into your mother’s eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth.” – Mitch Albom

“There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one.” – SUE ATKINS

“Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them.” ― Oscar Wilde

“First your parents, they give you your life, but then they try to give you their life.” ― Chuck Palahniuk

If it wasn’t for our parents, none of us would be where we are today. Although we may not always see eye-to-eye, the love and wisdom they instill upon us is something that can never be forgotten—and these parent quotes will serve as your reminder of it.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey

The more you are thankful, the more you attract things to be thankful for.

Be thankful for all the struggles you go through. They make you stronger, wiser, and humble. Don’t let them break you, let them make you.

Be thankful for today, because in one moment, your entire life could change.

When you are thankful for what you have, you are always rewarded with more. Try to stay positive and things will get better.

Be grateful for small things, big things, and everything in between. Count your blessings, not your problems. – Mandy Hale.

At the end of the day, what really matters is that your loved ones are well, you’ve done your best, and you’re thankful for all that you have.

“In the end, all you’ll ever have in life is your family, so keep them close, while you still have them around.”

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.” –Anthony Brandt

No amount of money or success can take the place of time spent with your family.

“The most important thing in the world is family and love.” –John Wooden

“Families are like branches on a tree, we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.”

“Having somewhere to go is home. Having someone to love is family. And having both is a blessing.”

“Family gives you the roots to stand tall and strong.”

“Your family is the best team you could ever have.”

“No family is perfect… we argue, we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times. But in the end, family is family…The love will always be there.”

“A family doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be united.”

“Family is like music, some high notes, some low notes, but always a beautiful song”.

“Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” – Brad Henry.

“Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.”

“I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.”

“A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves – a special kind of double.”

“Sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway.”

“She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she’s
the reason you wish you were an only child.”

“When my sister, Joan, arrived I asked if I could swap her for a rabbit. When I think what a marvelous friend she’s been, I’m so glad my parents didn’t take me at my word.”

“I grew up believing my sister was from the planet Neptune and had been sent down to Earth to kill me. I believed this because my sister Emily convinced me of it when I was a toddler…There’s a part of me that still believes it. I have moments when I think, ‘Hmm, could that be true?’ Occasionally, I ask my sister about it and she responds by pulling an alien face, which only confuses matters.”