Oddbean

I strongly disagree. Kids are voilent animals with no respect for other people. They must be shown that the real world has consequences since early ages. In general, to "let kids just be kids" means protecting them from real world consequences. In doing that, you are raising entitled pricks (no always, but often). You should also show them that even when there are no real world consequences (for example the 9 year old kid who killed with cruelty 28 pets in a pet farm in brasil, and wont be charged because he is under 12 y.o.), there are moral reasons for being a humane and caring person. So no, don't "let kids just be kids", raise them to be responsible and humane persons.

kids are respectful and caring and loving when we give them space and give them precise limits and boundaries. they are understanding their own space in life and if you guide them to be responsible for what they feel and do, being there with them to embrace their emotions and saying no to some actions, they will certainly respect others space as well. the consequences of their actions are not punishment, but having to deal with the emotions they feel after they notice they have hurt someone and with the "no" someone said to them. I have so many experiences of kids being so genuinely nice to each other after they had a conflict and an adult was there with them without taking sides, just willing to listen to each kid, how they felt, what they needed. that's, I think, is the job of adults.