«I see myself in the fantasy worlds of my children»
Christian Meier, 50, is a farmer. He has two grown-up children, aged 17 and 15, from his first marriage. He lives on his farm in Niederweningen ZH with his wife Pia, 40, and his two younger children Corsin, 6, and Ladina, 3.
Recently, all of our youngest's soft toys flew out of bed. Ladina threw all the cuddly toys out of the window into the yard. Instead, she brought the flowers and herbs from the windowsill into her bed. This is, of course, an idea that doesn't quite conform to the rules and tastes of us parents. But I really had to make an effort to remain serious and strict. I actually have to smile about things like that.
I think it's kind of nice when children do nonsense like that. When something pops into their heads and they just try it out. Many adults find it difficult to adopt the child's perspective and immerse themselves in these fantasy worlds. It's different for me.
We do not prohibit anything without explaining why we are doing so.
It's not as if I'm constantly going on discovery tours with my children or chasing imaginary mythical creatures. I simply don't have the time for that while I'm working on the farm. Sixty cattle, six goats, lots of chickens and rabbits have to be looked after first. But I do get to watch the children's games.
Large play area for the children
They have a thousand ideas: Corsin designs lots of machines, such as a hitchhiking tractor. Ladina looks after all kinds of lovely and evil dragons. I can really relate to this mental spinning, this «what if and how would that be». I see myself in these fantasy worlds, I feel connected to my children there.
I also often hear when the two of them are up to some nonsense. I usually let them get away with it and only admonish them after a certain amount of time. My wife Pia is usually quicker than me, she's also stricter. That's partly because she spends more time with the children.
But she also grew up with much stricter guidelines than I did. Sometimes the nonsense is too much for her. Not for me, but that doesn't mean we don't have rules. However, we don't forbid anything without explaining why we're doing it. My wife and I agree: Corsin and Ladina should also have the great freedom I had, this unrestrained discovery of life's adventures.
