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How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama? Is it better to be honest with children, or to shield them?

Created: 01/01/19

Replies: 6

Posted Jan. 01, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama? Is it better to be honest with children, or to shield them?

Michelle Obama writes that her parents talked to her and Craig like adults, "indulg[ing] every question we asked," from juvenile complaints about breakfast to more serious topics like sex, drugs, and racism. How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama later in life?

Do you agree that parents should answer their children's questions honestly, or do you think it's better to shield them from the messiness of adult life?


Posted Jan. 11, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama? Is it better to be honest with children, or to shield them?

I think Fraser and Marian Robinson are the heroes of Michelle Obama's story. A city of Chicago employee and stay-at-home mother certainly seemed to have the "secret sauce" of parenting to raise such a formidable human. It seems they had just the right amount of involvement and freedom, which I think is a very hard thing to calibrate. It seems the world is full of helicopter or those who lack any involvement and their approach seemed just right.

I do think honesty is better in most cases, assuming the child's level of maturity can tolerate. But perhaps children are good at rising to the occasion.


Posted Jan. 11, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorothyl

Join Date: 04/15/12

Posts: 146

RE: How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama? Is it better to be honest with children, or to shield them?

I was extremely impressed with Michelle Obama's parents. I thought the foundation they gave her was the bedrock of her later life.


Posted Jan. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peggyt

Join Date: 08/10/17

Posts: 215

RE: How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama? Is it better to be honest with children, or to shield them?

I think parenting methods can vary, of course honesty is good but sometimes a little shielding may be appropriate depending on the situation.


Posted Jan. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
katherinep

Join Date: 07/16/14

Posts: 374

RE: How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama? Is it better to be honest with children, or to shield them?

That is an eternal question I think. I will say that the current generation of parents who hover over every experience their children have in and out of the home is not good--it is suffocating and does not produce independent thinking adults. As a child grows parents can become more forthcoming with honesty--but I'm not sure that they shouldn't be shielded from some things when they are too young to understand them and when the exposure can cause confusion, fear or stress.


Posted Jan. 13, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ruthiea

Join Date: 02/03/14

Posts: 271

RE: How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama? Is it better to be honest with children, or to shield them?

I think the Robinsons found a wonderful mix of providing the example of a loving couple, the support and advocacy of parents who want the best for their children, the expectation of hard work, and the knowledge of when to let the children make their own decisions. It is a very difficult balance, and somehow they mastered it.
I think every parent has to know their children well enough to know how much "honesty" they can handle and when they are mature enough to handle certain issues. There are also some realities we cannot shield our children from - racism, violence, evil, bullies, and the reality that no one is perfect - even Mom and Dad. We have to send them out into the world equipped to deal with reality!


Posted Jan. 13, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 422

RE: How did Fraser and Marian Robinson's parenting strategy influence Mrs. Obama? Is it better to be honest with children, or to shield them?

I think the Robinson's gave Michelle her wings. Talking to Michelle and Craig with honesty and solid values instilled leadership and values in Michelle. She understood her limitations, but pushed through the ones that weren't tied to income. She learned to respect her heritage and strove to make a difference.


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