Benign neglect is simply “noninterference that is intended to benefit someone or something more than continual attention would.” In the case of parenting, it might be as simple as stepping away from being a helicopter mom and allowing a child to figure things out for his/herself. How else can children learn to be responsible if Mom and Dad stay up all night and finish the science fair project or write the term paper?

I like house plants, particularly those with dark green leaves, and I think plants make a house a home. Though, I’m not fond of elaborate bowl gardens filled with a variety of flora, nor bloomers like azaleas, begonias, or orchids, I graciously accept them when received and am filled with angst when I kill them prematurely. I was overcome with grief when my gorgeous purple orchid withered away. A $25 flower tossed in the garbage can. Yet, people continued to gift me orchids, yellow ones, white ones, and pink ones. While both the orchid stalk its leaves remained a healthy green, the blooms died.

Damn! Green leaves and gangly stalks. WTH? Was I killing them with my continual attention?

Perhaps, I should invoke benign neglect. Maybe I chose that option because of my own laziness, moderate disinterest, or my self-imposed weekly regime. I know it sounds anal for a retired old gal to be regimented, but I read some where routine helps combat memory loss. (No, I just made that up to explain my behavior.) I moved my miserable orchids directly under a skylight and watered them once a week. Viola! Today, I’ve a roomful of blooms!

Now, I’m wondering what else might benefit from my intentional neglect. Hmm. I shall ponder that notion.