They say that parents have an innate instinct to protect their children. People have theorized for years that a “motherly instinct” does indeed exist and it’s been proven that the adrenal gland can actually force the body to do amazing things in defense of a child.

Then there’s common sense.  I instinctively know I need to eat and drink water and stay away from my brother-in-law after a NY Giants loss.  Common sense kicks in somewhere after instinct to guide us in those choices that aren’t covered by our DNA makeup.  That little voice you’re hearing that tells you it’s a bad idea to do something?  That’s common sense more than it is instinct.

Now parents have a unique challenge.  You can’t (or at least don’t want to) smother your children in a protective bubble wrap.  I mean, if you could do that it might be nice, but they’ll never learn common sense except through experience.  So, and hence the title, you need to draw some lines internally as to when you’ll save your children from mistakes.  I gather this is throughout the entirety of their lives!  It’ll start out with a tree stand in their Papa’s woods but, before you know it, it’ll be a failed college class or a high interest loan on a car they couldn’t afford or the results of a night of wearing “beer goggles.”  Whatever the situation, this is probably the most challenging part of parenting and our biggest responsibility.  No pressure!  Don’t mess up!