Children’s Choices

When do choices begin?  When does free agency kick in?  Aside from the stalk answers that might be spewed forth from the different experts, I would say that free agency and the ability to make choices probably begin as soon as life itself begins.  Some choices will certainly be conscious, while others will be automatic choices, such as breathing, heart pumping, etc.

I am not so philosophical, nor am I medically trained, so I would like to concentrate on some of the simpler aspects of choices that we learn as we grow.

Every day, as I oversee the operations of programs that help to lead and guide children, I am often amazed at the pure love of life that the children have.  They go forth each day, waiting and anticipating new adventures.  Sometimes they are eager and enthusiastic about these new beginnings.  But, at other times, the children may feel uneasiness or even downright fear about something that they are unfamiliar (or even familiar) with.

Sometimes the choices that a child makes (or even an adult makes for that matter), will guide him/her for the rest of their lives.  If the wrong choice is made because something looks appealing or exciting today, then the child/adult may be stuck with that choice, which will affect his/her life for a long time.

As adults and parents, we have the responsibility to lead the way for our children’s future.  We need to make the right choices in our own lives, or else how can we ever expect our children to follow suit and make the right choices?

Children must often be led to make decisions, but they must also be given the free agency to choose.  As adults and parents, we must take the time to get on their level and help them, so that they may know which to choose, whenever a decision comes up.

As I stated in the beginning, some choices are automatic.  But, I believe that when we teach our children about making choices in their lives, at what time they come upon life’s decisions, their confident choices will automatically be the right path(s) to follow or choose.

Don R. Pewtress

Cover of Right Choices