TCS Discussion 2

[mamakarata]

I hope it is okay to start a new TCS thread by addressing TCS people. To try and post my question on the original TCS thread seemed a bit daunting as it is more of an argument about TCS, and I really just have a question for it in practice. Not to dispute it, but to gather information. I am posting this for APers as well on a seperate thread. Please let me know if this is not okay. Okay?

So my question might be silly, but I wondered how the TCS theory applied to infants, and if there are any specifics you have in reading their body language and/or cries? Aside from ignoring a babies cries, which would be awful, I wonder sometimes how it is for him if he fell asleep in my arms, and then woke up alone in his little sleeper, if that is in a way, coercement? (by TCS theory)

Of course I immediately retrieve him when I hear him waking, and it is only during the day because we sleep together at night. But the look on his face of "what the heck is going on?" I can't help but wonder if he feels afraid or betrayed somehow.

Believe it or not, I am not a new parent, because re-reading this makes me sound like an over paranoid new parent, but I am always curious about different theories and/or studies, and wonder if TCS has any on this young age.

TIA

MK

[Netty]

****So my question might be silly, but I wondered how the TCS theory applied to infants, and if there are any specifics you have in reading their body language and/or cries? Aside from ignoring a babies cries, which would be awful, I wonder sometimes how it is for him if he fell asleep in my arms, and then woke up alone in his little sleeper, if that is in a way, coercement? (by TCS theory)****

I think that we, as parents, are only able to respond to actual communication to figure out if an infant is in a coercive state. Crying, wimpering, frowning, etc., are all signs that seem to suggest a coercive state of mind.

***Of course I immediately retrieve him when I hear him waking, and it is only during the day because we sleep together at night. But the look on his face of "what the heck is going on?" I can't help but wonder if he feels afraid or betrayed somehow.***

I suspect that you would be able to tell. Just pay attention to his cues.

****Believe it or not, I am not a new parent, because re-reading this makes me sound like an over paranoid new parent, but I am always curious about different theories and/or studies, and wonder if TCS has any on this young age.****

There is a TCS list for babies and toddlers <[e-mail]> which you--or anyone else--are welcome to join if you'd like more support for TCS-style parenting.

Hope this helps :-)

Netty

[Iguanavere]

Netty - Your response is unclear.

Baby falls asleep in mother's arms and mother puts baby to sleep in crib.

Baby wakes up and cries for mother.

Therefore, since baby has cried and communicated distress - mother has coerced baby?

Or perhaps, Mother has simply reenforced that when baby cries, mother responds. Maybe it isn't coersion. maybe it is simply responsive parenting.

So are you saying that it is bad to put your baby down, because it may cause coercion? How do you test this theory? by trying coercion (by doing the above scenario?)

[Cynthia Mosher]

TCS Discussions 2

Having closed "TCS Discussions - Post Here" due to length I've opened this thread to continue the topic in an organized manner. I'll soon be moving the TCS Discussions - Post Here (changing it to "TCS Discussions 1")thread to the GD archives so that it can be easily located rather than lost in the pages of GD.

~Cynthia

[laelsweet]

for awhile, i was concerned about this too. during that time i put a mattress on the floor in the middle of the livingroom, and would put the babe down there to nap (it was also big enough to lay down myself and nurse). that way i could see if the baby got restless and was going to wake, and as this all seemed okay with the babe i didn't worry about it. i spent so much of the day carrying, as well as some naps, it seemed alright to me, and eventually it also seemed better to put the babe in bed in another room, within hearing.
i think if you keep paying close attention, as netty said, your baby will let you know. certainly, i learned when it was not okay to put the baby down because baby would wake up as soon as i did so! or other signals. i'm sure you'll know all kinds of things your baby will tell you about what s/he wants, without ever being able to explain how you know this, to anyone else!

[mamakarata]

You're right Netty, since I am always looking out for any signs of distress, I can always respond. I guess my questions was more about him falling asleep in one situation and waking up in another.

As an adult, that could seem disorienting, unless I was in a moving vehicle, plane etc, I could expect to find myself somewhere else when I woke up. I suppose if baby and I were moving about when he fell asleep, something deep inside of him might understand that he would be moved elsewhere when he woke up, but no longer in my arms and/or sling?

I just wondered if that specifically was addressed in TCS theory since it is something they could likely have no control over- where they are. But if he wakes up crying, it could just as easily be hunger than feeling disoriented, so I would never really know if moving him put him in a state of coercement or not.

BTW, the link you posted seems to be an email address. Is that right? Do I need to email someone? Thanks so much for responding too.

[Netty]

The TCSBabiesToddlers List can be found by going to

<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TCSBabiesToddlers>

Once there, you click on "join this group" (if you're already registered at yahoogroups). If you are not registered, simply click on "register" and follow the process.

I *hope* this works.

I'll try to respond to other messages today, but am pressed for time as the new term has begun (where did the holidays go?) and I have to spend *some* time on the career that earns some income ;-))

Netty

[Icicle Spider]

Both of my boys said that in their minds they would consider the tactic you suggested both trickery and coercion.

I disagree in Netty's scenario. There was no deceit in the example given, all parties had access to all information and were totally free to make their own choice. I read from Netty's scenario that the friend did forget that the cute cashier worked there, making that new information.

When I asked why, the youngest said "Because you are not really interested in what I want.

This is not true in the example Netty gave. The person who wanted company at the store knew that the other *wanted* to possibly meet the cute cashier.

You only said that in the hope that I would cooperate so that you could get what you want.

This we agree on, this is exactly what happened. She figured out a way to get what she wants (company at the store), and a way to get what the other wants (meet the cute cashier).

Pat

[Netty]

****In checking the last locked thread, there are some unresolved issues to me, raised by comments you have made.****

Okay.

****original quote:
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You *chose* to make those vows. And you are *free* to leave your marriage at any time. And if you choose to leave, you can find plenty of support for doing so. This is not so for children. They have no choice in this respect. And they had no choice in being "entered into the social contract" either.
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My marriage is based on vows "Until death parts our ways". I knew this would be the case before I married my husband, and decided that I was not prepared to make those vows, unless I was prepared to honour them. In order to do that, there has to be the commitment at the start to a life-long relationship. ****

Okay. But you still made a conscious choice. My point is that you had a choice in the matter. And you *are* free (whether you act on that freedom or not) to leave that marriage and break those vows. And you were free not to make those vows in the first place. And if your husband began beating you, I doubt you would continue to honour those vows.

****Some people take those words lightly. I did not. And that steadfastness of vows has meant that there are no issues which go unresolved. Each and every one is worked through as they come up.****

Sounds great. I don't make vows to do that. I do that because I believe in autonomy-respecting relationships.

****Sometimes, some people who go into relationships knowing in the backs of their minds that if it doesn't work out, they can always opt out, fail in their relationships, precisely because the opt-out clause in the back of the mind can lead to that lack of commitment from the start, and also does not make them seriously consider and take time to find out if that person is really the right one. Obviously it doesn't happen to everyone. ****

Personally, I would never enter into a commitment which compromised my freedom and autonomy. That does not mean that I do not take my responsibilities seriously in any and all relationships I choose to enter into. It simply means that I only enter into relationships where my autonomy (and my partner's autonomy) will be respected.

****to me, no-one should go into marriage without the commitment to do their very best to make it work. For me, those vows are a living reminder that my marriage commitment is very very serious, and therefore requires serious work.****

I don't require such reminders or commitments. I act according to my responsibility and my love for those with whom I've chosen to have a relationship.

****I think maybe Cassidy sees it this way as well. For me, there is no option. I cannot walk away, therefore this marriage has to work. And does. ****

Okay. I personally wouldn't want to live that way, but I respect your choice to do so.

**** original quote:
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You could also find somewhere for the child to stay while you and the other children went.
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Nope, I would not put someone else out on the spur of the moment, just at the whim of my child.****

It may not be putting the person out at all. If so, you could look for other arrangements. It's just a *possible* solution.

****original quote:
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Or you could wait until the child *did* want to go.
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That might or might not happen. *****

Yes, of course. But, then again, it might.


****original quote:
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Or you could ask a friend to get them for you.
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Nope. Why should my friend, who has her own life to live, drop what she is doing to do something to "please" me because my child had a preference not to go to the market?****

Because she's your friend? I have friends who would be willing to do this for me and I would certainly be willing to do this for a friend.

****After all, by the same token, what say my friend had just rung me and asked me to help her out, because her child didn't want to go to the market, and I couldn't because my child didn't want to either. "Oh sorry, I can't help you, because my child is also doing his own thing today.....****

My friend would accept that reason. And I would certainly understand if my friend said s/he couldn't go. But it wouldn't hurt to ask. But the friends I count on to help me don't require reasons to do so. They help because I asked and because they are able to help.


*****quote:
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Or you could go next door and ask the neighbour if you could borrow some milk, bread, & cereal.
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Nope. Why should my neighbour have to provide what she already has , which I do not , but am perfectly able to get for myself at the market, but for a child's preference? *****

Because s/he's a helpful neighbour? Personally, I don't ask my neighbours for their reason if they if they pop over to ask for something. If I have it, I give it to them. My neighbours tend to do the same for me.


****quote:
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Or ask the neighbour if he is going to the market at all and, if so, could he pick these up for you?
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Nope, why should I add to my neighbours work-load just because of my child's preference? ****

Ummm. Again, because the neighbour is willing to help you out and you don't want to coerce your unwilling child.


****BUT____If my child was sick, well, that might be different, and maybe she would accommodate that since it was IMPOSSIBLE for me to do it --- but on the whim of a child? - I don't think so.... ****

What you see as "the whim of a child," I see as a child's preference. I would do all I could to honour my child's preference if it were possible. Imagine how you would feel if you didn't want to do something but couldn't find a "good" reason (according to the person you were depending on)? How would you feel if that person forced you against your will? A "good" reason to you may be a very "poor" reason to me. That doesn't, however, give me the right to force you into acting in accordance with my reason, does it?


****quote:
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And if, in the morning, the child complained that there was no breakfast (though surely there would be *something* for them to eat, no?)
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Most likely, but what say it was not what the child wanted to eat, and they were carrying on because what they wanted was on the list of what you needed to get?.......

That they prevented you getting, because they didn't want to go.****

I would tell them that and try to find a solution.



**** original quote:
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, you could remind hir that you couldn't get to the market yesterday but that you could go later if she'd like.
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The child created this mess in the first place. Why should they not take the consequences of their decision? Why do other people have to go out of their way so that that child gets what they want? What will that teach the child about the real world? ****

How did the child *create the mess*? How is s/he responsible? Who is the adult in this situation?


****After all, if I, as an adult, asked a friend to do something for me because I couldn't be bothered, I know exactly what they would say. It would have to be a good reason. And not wanting to do it for myself, is not a good reason. Two broken legs, or another bout of Epstein Barr might be, though.****

Personally, I wouldn't call such a person a friend. My friends are willing to help me when they can without demanding my reasons. They trust that I wouldn't ask them unless I had to. And they respect that my reasons may differ from theirs. And they also know that I would not be the least bit upset with them if they couldn't help, nor would I ask them *why* they couldn't.


****This sort of option taking will not actually solve the problem. It will teach the child that "I will always get what I want, because others will wait on me hand and foot." ****

Not in my experience. The child may learn that problems can be solved without coercing others. The child may learn that hir needs and desires are just as important as everyone else's. The child may learn to value relationships which support and encourage personal autonomy.


****I would handle the situation quite differently. I would simply say to the child that if we don't go to the market, then this is what there is for breakfast tomorrow. If they are prepared to eat that, then we don't need to go. If they want X, then we do need to go. Then I would say - if we go, we need to go by such and such a time, because... and give the reasons. If you are prepared to come with me, let me know by X time. If not, we won't go, and that is what you get for breakfast. It is your choice. ****

If the child agreed with your reasoning and changed hir mind about going, then that approach seems just fine. But if the child still didn't want to go but didn't want "Y" for breakfast, then I would keep searching for a better solution. You see, JW, I am a *non-coercive parent*. I advocate *non-coercion.* You aren't and you don't. We differ in this respect.

****(But I will not involve other people, in order that a child gets their own way. They can have their own way, but they will accept the consequences)****

Again, we differ on our approach to problem-solving. Mine is to seek common preferences and yours seems to be a kind of "natural consequences" approach. Again, that is another way that TCS-style parenting differs from your style of parenting.

****Just say the child says we don't go. Fine.

But knowing my kids, I can guarantee that it would only happen once. Because they like what they like, and not what they don't. ****

Yes, that seems to be my experience with children, too. Where you and I differ, though, is that I strive to help my children get what they like and avoid what they don't like. I don't use what they don't like to get them to do something else that they don't like just so that they'll agree to do what *I* like.

****So just say the next morning the child starting complaining that the breakfast they wanted wasn't there, I would just wait, then I would remind them of the previous day's discussion and then say:

"So Carmel (for the sake of a name) why is there none of the breakfast you like.......?

You knew that if I didn't go, this is what would be on the table. So why are you complaining that there is none of your normal breakfast for you?

It was your choice not to go." ****

In other words, you would say "I told you so. Now suffer the consequences of your actions." I wouldn't do that. I would help my child solve hir present problem by seeking common preferences.

<snip rest of possible morning conversation where child either has to eat the breakfast in front of hir or go hungry>

****Scenes like this only ever occurred once in our house. Because they soon got the message, that if they decide that I can't go shopping, then they will have to eat what's there, not what they want. And if they don't like that, then they should rethink their entrenched theories, shouldn't they?****

Well, JW. Once again, we differ here. I wouldn't want my children to think that there is only one solution to a problem and that that solution must involve coercion. I want my children to learn how to be happy and how to solve problems without robbing others of their happiness. I think that the best way to help them do that is to provide them with as many opportunities to find common preferences as possible.

****Your last scenario. I got my kids to read your post to see how they would react. Here is the answer of the one who has a girl-friend:


quote:
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Let's say that I wanted to go to the store but you wanted to stay home and read. And let's say that I really wanted you to come along. One way to convince you to come would be to find a good reason (by your lights) for *you* to go to the store. So, let's say I remembered that you had a crush on one of the cashiers there and so I reminded you that hir (I changed this to conform to your normal gender neutral stance, since I have boys) would be working at that time.
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"Mum, I know she works there now. If I had wanted to see her, I would already be there, so why are you weaselling with my head? You know that's manipulation, and I hate it."****

Well, then I would assume that you didn't want to go (though I would be a bit upset that you thought I was trying to "weasel with your head" since that was not my intention at all.) I might try to find some other reason. And if you insisted you didn't want to go and didn't want to hear any more reasons, I would stop bothering you and try to solve the problem on my own.

*****which negates the next bit of course.....

quote:
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With this information, you changed your mind and decided you *wanted* to come to the store with me.
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Both of my boys said that in their minds they would consider the tactic you suggested both trickery and coercion. When I asked why, the youngest said "Because you are not really interested in what I want. You only said that in the hope that I would cooperate so that you could get what you want. That stinks." ****

Well, if you said this to me, I would apologize and explain that I didn't intend to coerce or trick you. I just wanted you to come to the store with me and I thought that you might *want* to come knowing that that cashier was there. I would then ask what you wanted and try to find a common preference.

****Those are the opinions of my 20 and 18 year old adult sons.

If adults feel this way, why would you want to use this tactic on a younger child? Isn't the whole point of TCS based on "if you wouldn't treat an adult this way, why would you treat a child this way?"****

Well, not really. Some adults treat other adults really horribly. And some adults are very suspicious of the motives of other adults. I think that such suspicions may result from being raised in a coercive family.


Netty

[Netty]

JW wrote:

****quote:
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Crying, wimpering, frowning, etc., are all signs that seem to suggest a coercive state of mind.
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Crying might suggest that a baby is hungry, or wants to be picked up. ****

Yes. Then I suggest one feeds hir or picks hir up.

****Whimpering might suggest that a baby is cold, or has uncomfortable nappies. ****

Yes. Check the nappy. Put on warmer clothes or a blanket or put baby is sling. Whatever makes the baby feel better.

F***rowning might suggest that the baby's position is such that the light falling on the baby's face is too strong. Or, in the case of my oldest "I don't like you playing the flute..." and if I didn't stop, would progress to crying.... ****

I play the flute too! (though I'm pretty bad, I admit, so I'm sure any baby would complain if I were playing ;-))...Again, do whatever you can to help baby feel better.

****None of these would indicate "coercion" to me. They do indicate a discomfort or need that may need to be resolved.****

I think you may have misunderstood my point. I didn't mean to imply that the baby was *being* coerced by the parent. I was simply saying that the baby may be in a *state of coercion* and in need of help to change hir state of mind.

Netty

[larsy]

Iguanavere...

I've cut and pasted your post that I think you referred to as lost in the previous long TCS thread.

Iguanavere wrote:

"I'm not sure if this was answered?
So if the family has planned an outing and child A decides on the day of the outing that they do not want to go, yet the entire family wants to go - discussions take place and still child A does not want to go - What would happen?

Certainly TCS would state that there is always a solution - but I would say that the solution is likely to be a compromise - not always a common preference. "

Right, imo. There is a difference between theory and application. People aren't always successful in finding the common preference, and sometimes events move fast. But having made the paradigm shift to non-coercion, the chances are infinitely greater that they will find a common preference. With practice and as trust grows amongst family members in the process, finding common preferences becomes more and more successful.

IME, with common preference finding, everyone's preferences can shift many times in the process, in the light of what they learn about other people's preferences. A parent might weigh thier preference for the activity against their preference to not coerce their child into doing what parent wants against the child's reasons. One of the parents might not be that keen on the outing, and be glad to stay home with child and get some other things done. The other kids might decide they don't want to go with the one that doesn't want to go, because experience tells them that it wouldn't be a pleasant experience. maybe they can come up with an activity that they all want to do, rather than the one that was planned.

I think a TCS family would acknowledge the failure, that they have not come up with a great solution. The parent might prefer to take the coercion upon their self- yes, self-sacrifice- rather than coerce a child. After all, the parent is responsible for the child being in the position in the first place.

"For example, let's say you are a single mother of 3 children. You work all week long and don't have much time with your kids. As a family you all plan a special trip to the zoo, bought special tickets for a special animal show. On that day, Child A decides that he doesn't want to go. Discussion takes place and no health problems are present, so child A simple doesn't want to go.

TCS - would advocate leaving the child at home with another care giver - that is assuming the mother can even afford a babysitter, since she just broke the bank buying the special zoo tickets. "

TCS theory advocates finding common preference, in the face of conflict. The particular solution that works for each family, each situation, can be vastly different.

That could be one solution. Many families do child care exchange, or barter services in other ways that don't involve money. Having a community of people around that are willing to help out when such occasions arise, if it fits with their day, is a possibility for some.

This parent might learn about spending lots of money on something that the whole family might not be interested in. The family might learn that it works better for them to make more last-minute, spontaneous plans. And that they would rather not spend their money on tickets that could not be refunded, in the future.

The person in the family who has decided that they didn't want to go on the outing, might well change their mind if they have the information that the money would be lost if they didn't go, if that is important to them. Or not. They might have some good ideas about how they would rather spend their limited resources.

These are all possibilities, plus many more... once the paradigm shift is made, imo. A person has to be open to the possibilities, and willing to change their preferences, and ready to look at ideas and solutions outside of the box.

"Mother is still going to be disappointed and ultimately this is a compromise, because Mother had planned for this to be a special event for the whole of their family. "

But if the whole family is not equally enthralled with the special event, it isn't going to be such a great experience, or a common preference, anyhow. Why would a family want to drag along an unwilling participant? IME, it casts a pall over the whole day. The unwilling participant isn't going to be happy, and is capable of making life as miserable for everyone else around, as s/he is hirself.

"In my opinon, Mother would be self-sacraficing her happiness for her sons, in an effort to not coerce her son. "

If a parent's happiness is all tied up in this one event, then there might be many changes that could be made to help hir life- and the other family members'- be happier. Why is this one event so important to this parent? If it is something that parent absolutely does not want to miss, then it seems to me that a parent would think of the possibility that one of their kids might not want to go when it came right down to the moment of going, and have an alternative plan for that child, so that parent would not miss what was important to hir.

"Or she could remind him of his committment to his family and advise him to get into the car. "

Who has made this commitment to the family for the child? The child or the parent? What does this commitment involve? Is it voluntarily entered into?

"Help me - am I missing something?

Also - as for self-sacrifice - it is easy if you are a middle-class, two-parent family of one child to spend a great deal of time and energy trying to find common preferences and working towards consent. "

Maybe, maybe not. It is impossible to tell what is or is not easy for another person or family. I expect we all carry plenty of baggage/entrenche theories that makes what is easy for one person, quite difficult for another. Assumptions and expectations are often wrong. Becoming aware of assumptions and expectations and examining the unrealistic and/or mistaken theories they can lead one to hold, maybe unconsciously, can be very enlightening.

"However, if you are a poverty-stricken, one parent family with 3 children all under the age of 4, including one special-needs child - some things go by the wayside."

We all have a framework of situation to work within. We might feel coerced by the situation/time/circumstances, and can take a good look at what exactly is causing the coercion we feel in our minds about it, and take steps to change that. I've heard it said- and I think it is true- that making one little change for the better can lead to another better solution, and so on.

"Certainly I would advocate that we should all strive to work cooperatively with our children, but in a family dynamic, in which there are many children or children with special needs, sometimes compromise is the best alternative we can offer. "

A family can find one common preference. That can lead to another. There might be lots of compromise in-between, but *if* there is interest in non-coercive relationships, they can find their way to more and more common preferences, and less and less compromise. I'm not saying it's easy, I don't think any sort of family dynamic is easy- there is constantly more to learn and adjust about close relationships.

"Tell me, does TCS have any recommendations about family size or child spacing?"

None officially, that I am aware of, but there are certainly implications. Since currently, most TCS families came upon TCS theory after they had already had one or more children- on up to large numbers, maybe 11 is the most I've heard of- people are finding that TCS has made a big positive difference in the way their families live together at home and out in the world, with all sorts of combinations of numbers and spacing and situations.
YMMV

[Jish]

Netty,

I was going to amply respond to your reply and the example of the grocery store, but I think that JW said exactly what I would have said. If I stated that I wanted to stay home and read, I have made my decision very clear. To try to entice me to do what you want to do seems very selfish and coersive. Of course, I personally think that children raised in the TCS theory will grow up to be selfish and inconsiderate of others wants and needs, contrary to what TCS claims to be trying to accomplish. I think that you manipulate the word "coersion" to fit into whatever example you need to give, because to me, your response was manipulative and coersive. I told you what I wanted (to stay home and read) and you discounted it to get what you wanted (me to come along) by attempting to persuade me to see the cashier. If I chose to come it would more likely be to put an end to the discussion and aggravation, rather than because I "chose" or "wanted" to. It seems to me that your answer was simply coersion in TCS clothing.

[Jish]

Hmmm. maybe that means that we are not so different after all.

[larsy]

I find the same thing, JW, except that we have all the electronic stuff available, too. There is sometimes the person who is involved in what they are doing and doesn't want to stop to run to the post office or whatever, but that is a different issue than a whole day planned trip.

I think life in a family where everyone scatters their different ways for the majority of the day must be different than life in a homeschooling family that spends much of their time together, eat together frequently and so on. Maybe there is just more pressure to schedule time to be together, I don't know.

[Iguanavere]

A Ha!

Genevieve Says:

"Certainly TCS would state that there is always a solution - but I would say that the solution is likely to be a compromise - not always a common preference. "

larsy says:

Right, imo. There is a difference between theory and application. People aren't always successful in finding the common preference, and sometimes events move fast. But having made the paradigm shift to non-coercion, the chances are infinitely greater that they will find a common preference. With practice and as trust grows amongst family members in the process, finding common preferences becomes more and more successful. "

OK - this is what I was trying to understand. I think I read that TCS is a philosophy of (or acknowledges) fallibility - in that TCS parents acknowledge that they make mistakes. Clearly then, as you've illustrated above, TCS would acknowledge that there could be scenarios in which common preference cannot be achieved.

Having said that - I appreciate your comments regarding making a paradigm shift to non-coersion. That is, TCS families would work to the most positive outcome - common preference.

After participating in this discussion, what I have concluded is that TCS has a lot to offer families - in that the desire for common preferences is considerate of all members. I also imagine that if parents approach family life with the idea that they are there to help their child acheive their desires, then in general, family life will be smooth.

However, for me and my family, I will not use extrinsic motivation. I still feel that if I ask my son to please move out of the way of someone in the grocery store, I should not have to provide him with some external motiviation (I'll get you ice cream - or worse yet, do it or I'll wack you.) I've read the above posts responding to the issue of bribery and I simply disagree with the TCS advocates position.

Also, I do not agree with the TCS definition of coercion, so I cannot ever completly subscribe to this philosophy. I do not think it is coercion to grab my 18 month old son as he runs toward the street - whether a car is coming or not.

Well that's it.

[laelmoresweet]

please excuse me for dropping in in the middle of this

i have been lurking on the side lines for sometime and reading over dp's shoulder - until we found that dp seemed to be reading more over my shoulder
- i am with laelsweet by the way
; )

we both find ourselves gravitating towards tcs and are very interested in thinking about ourselves (our behaviour and actions) in relation to the theory

although i was particularly interested to read the article posted by larsy yesterday (06/01/2002):

*** for your 'what if' question, maybe the article at http://www.tcs.ac/Articles/WhatIf.html might help? ***

(thanks larsy)

i have also been intrigued by the range of arguments presented and awed by the wealth of experience i have encountered

it is with this in mind that i have finally decided to put fingers to keyboard and post myself

the thing that stands out for me most in these discussions is how frequently common terms seem to have become a major sticking point

i think that i can see how for some, tcs appropriation of certain words might seem inappropriate and/or mis-judged
but i don't think that it is an uncommon or unacceptable practice for language to be used this way historically, socially or theoretically
at the moment tcs is raising a number of questions for me and i am pleased that dp and i have decided to explore the ways we relate
i would like to share some thoughts in the hope that they could become a constructive part of the discussion

a point from the "what if" article that made an impression on me
and helped shape my current appreciation of this discussion
the author explains that in attempting to come to terms with or to criticise tcs, the questions that are asked are the kind of "what if..." questions that have been such a prominent feature of this debate

without wanting to simplify the argument too much, i think that the author's point is that such questions can never be answered to the satisfaction of both parties because the form of the question is incompatible with a tcs answer

primarily the author believes that most questions that begin "what would *you* do if..?" would more be more accurately phrased as "what do you think i should do if..?"
which presents the answerer with a tremendous conundrum, because it is very difficult to appreciate all of the contributory factors
- i think that i see this in the most recent exchanges between netty and jw
i believe that jw's points are completely valid - there are things to consider that netty did not refer to, especially in relation to jw's geographical location
but i do not believe that netty is at fault for not being able to provide that level of intimate knowledge either

to that extent i do not think the argument will ever be settled - at least not whilst it is on those terms

it is my understanding from the "what if" article that the tcs position is that we should try to avoid relying on a given solutions
rather we should begin to think of each situation as specific and unique
and so rather than provide a list of possible or potential solutions tcs is more about encouraging a particular strategy for dealing with situations as they present themselves
i welcome a framework in which i might be able to integrate problem solving skills in a way that increases the collaboration and involvement of our family members

netty, larsy and icicle spider have all, i believe, conceded, at some point, that they are fallible and do on occasion - and despite their best efforts - find themselves acting in ways that are contradictory to the goal of leading their lives non-coercively

i really don't think that on that basis we can or should dismiss tcs out of hand or claim that it is invalidated

i also think that everybody has agreed that they would rather their children understood and valued the processes involved in finding common preferences and relating to others in that way
presented this way i think that tcs has a lot to offer

i don't believe that tcs is about raising selfish children (certainly tcs would not have a monopoly on that...) nor do i think that it is about lack of structure

as i try to embrace and come to terms with a different way of being in the world my thoughts are that i would very much like our child to grow to value hirself and our family life (again i do not think that tcs has a monopoly)

from my experience so far i think i can say i have found one of the hardest things is coming to terms with what a common preference actually is
how difficult it is to work towards finding a solution that is satisfying to all the parties involved rather fall into complacency and apathy

at the moment i feel inspired by some of the ideas within tcs and opportunities i envision for our family

what is it you say, jw?

a tome, i'm afraid

goodnight

j

[Ms. Mom]

First I'd like to welcome you laelmoresweet! Glad to have you here at Mothering! Please hop over to the welcome board and introduct yourself - that way more of the community can get to know you and welcome you!

Again, many discussions are boardering on personal attacks.

There are some wonderfull ideas being exchanged here and many people really want to discuss and learn.

Again, I'd like to remind everyone...

Tolerance - The capacity for respecting the opinions or practices of others.

I would like to remind everyone that we need to be respectful of everyone on the Mothering boards. Gentle Discipline is a topic that evokes passion in most parents. We have strong ideas on how we want to raise our children. This is one of the beauties of these boards. We can exchange these ideas and gather new knowledge.

Everyone here has several options when they want to discuss something in deeper detail. You could use our PM system to discuss things privately. You could start a new thread to discuss something in further detail. Or you could selectively ignore things that don't sound or feel right to you.

Please be considerate when posting of all the members that are reading your post. Consider there feelings, just as you would want them to consider yours.

If anyone has a question or concern, feel free to PM or email me [e-mail] any time. I do care, and would love to address your questions and concerns. As a volunteer, I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I promise to do my best to find the answers or information you need.

Sorry to just cut and past the same thing over and over, but I do feel that is sums up what I want to say.

[paula_bear]

Thanks, Ms. Mom, for the reminder.

I am enjoying this discussion, but I do find that I feel annoyed when I see it becoming adversarial. I too would like to see some of the past grievances put to the side, so that we can all learn something. Please, everyone, you can make your point known in a diplomatic way without insulting anyone. You can say, "I disagree with your views," without having to add, "And I think you are [*@#! - insert insult here]"

For those of us who would truly like to learn about TCS and how to apply it in our own families, this is very frustrating. I almost feel as if some are so anti-TCS that they want to "disprove" it so others will also leave the camp. I don't think this is right. Personally, I don't know if I can live up to all the tenants of TCS, but I certainly want to try to eliminate coercion from our family life. And I have found some very useful information through this discussion. But I shouldn't have to weed through personal attacks and extreme hypothetical situations that CANNOT be solved. I would rather hear about situations that CAN be solved, and the thinking process behind those solutions.

Thanks for listening,
Paula Bear

[Icicle Spider]

Great post laelmoresweet, I agree with it all.

I also encourage you to investigate the TCS List itself and the various TCS related lists on Yahoo.

Pat

[Icicle Spider]

Extrinsic motivation

However, for me and my family, I will not use extrinsic motivation.

This got be thinking about extrinsic versus intrinsic motivation. I also agree about the use of extrinsic motivation, I will not use it. I want my child to have intrinsic motivation for what they do.

So what is "intrinsic motivation"?

It is doing something because you want to. It is doing or getting what you want because...well...that is what *you* *want*.

I still feel that if I ask my son to please move out of the way of someone in the grocery store, I should not have to provide him with some external motiviation (I'll get you ice cream - or worse yet, do it or I'll wack you.)

I don't remember the exact post where ice cream was proposed, but I agree with this statement if it was offered as an extrinsic motivation (which "because I ask" also is). On the other hand, I see where such an offer could just as easily be merely a distraction to help everybody get what they want. The child could be young enough that they do not yet have the knowledge nor the experience to understand the implications of plopping down in the middle of the aisle. The ice cream got them to say, plop down somewhere else, where they were no longer in the way. It was not an extrinsic motivation that is trying to teach them that if they move out of the way, they get ice cream.


So what would be an intrinsic motivation in this case? Why would *anybody* *want* to move out of the way for an intrinsic motivation?

IMO, the reason is because one has gained the knowledge that the more you help other people get what they want, the more you get what you want.

So, in this example, one would move out of the way because you realize that you might very well want to get by someone else later. Or you just might need some other kind of help in getting what you want, and this very person might be the one to help you. Or maybe this very person helps somebody else, who then helps somebody else because they where helped, who eventually becomes the one who helps me, because they were helped.

In other words, there is nothing altruistic about moving out of the way of someone, it is part of getting what you want.

I do not expect a young child to yet have the knowledge to understand this. It takes having already experienced it to truly have the intrinsic motivation to want to move out of someone else's way. This is one of the main items I would like my children to understand on an a true, intrinsic level.

The more they help others get what they want, the better the chances are that they will in turn get what they want.

So I am "teaching" them this by doing it. I am always actively trying to help my child get whatever it is they want. (Which, btw, I am doing because I think it will eventually help me get more of what I want.)

So it has been my experience that a child that has learned this does not even think twice about getting out of the way.

Pat