What the!?
By now from reading my blog you should know what kind of parent I am. For those of you who are new, first off, welcome! I'm so glad you stopped by, now don't be a stranger. :)
***Please read disclaimer: I believe that I am not a perfect parent. I believe that I do not have perfect children. The opinions stated below are just that, opinions. Take from it what you will.
I parent "old school". I believe in modeling what I expect of my children. I believe in love and laughter and your word being your bond. I believe in children having responsibilities from an early age. I believe in setting boundaries for kids. I believe in discipline; spanking if needed. I believe that you show elders respect in word and deed. I believe in building up children and having high expectations for them. I believe in giving children roots when they are young so when they are older they can spread their wings and fly. All these things I mentioned, I believe, start the day your child is born.
Let me tell you, having well behaved children is no accident. It is intentional & at times can be work. And in case you are wondering, it doesn't get easier when they leave the nest. That's when you pray that there is very little you forgot to tell/teach/model for them. Where all this is leading is to an article I read online today about a New Jersey teen suing her parents. You may wonder if the child was exploited or abused by her parents. No. Did her parents take things from her and make her fend for herself? No. The child left home because "she didn't want to abide by the household rules, like being respectful, keeping a curfew & doing some chores." What the!?
OMG, you know who she is don't you? Veruca Salt!!! But, just as the Oompa Loompa's sing in the old Willy Wonka movie, you know who is to blame: the mother and the father. By this father's own admission: "I'm a liberal, liberal parent." You don't say?! Really? I couldn't have guessed. This child would not last five minutes in my house. My kids crack me up. When they see a child acting inappropriately, anywhere, their eyes get really big; they shake their heads & say how the child wouldn't be able to handle our house. It's true, but I think my kids rock, so at least I know I'm doing at least one thing right.
The first problem dad is that you are waiting until your child is 18 to try to enforce your household rules. How's that turning out for ya'? (See last sentence, first paragraph) I'm glad, dad, you wished you had grown-up in a house with very little structure, but, you can see where it has lead now, right? You now have an entitled, bratty, 18 year old diva. No thank you! Does the phrase "You reap what you sow" apply here. I think so.
The worst of this is, now, if his daughter wins her court case, there is a president for other bratty children to have their parents bend to their every whim. If the judge is wise, he/she will order that child to be punished for her juvenile behavior. My momma would have lit her fanny up. (actually she made us dance...to the tune of a switch. You talk about imprinting on your psyche. Ouch!) Maybe that is what she needs. Someone to say "I care enough about you to let you know that what you are doing is wrong".
Just for the record, I hate to discipline my kids. I mean HATE IT! It makes me sad when they don't listen, or don't do what they're told, or make unwise decisions. I discipline them because I love them. I discipline them because one day they will be out in the real world & they need to know how to be adults. I love them too much to leave them to their own devices.
I pray wisdom prevails in this case, because the repercussions for years to come are unthinkable.
Celebrating Life & raising kids!
~ashley
***Please read disclaimer: I believe that I am not a perfect parent. I believe that I do not have perfect children. The opinions stated below are just that, opinions. Take from it what you will.
I parent "old school". I believe in modeling what I expect of my children. I believe in love and laughter and your word being your bond. I believe in children having responsibilities from an early age. I believe in setting boundaries for kids. I believe in discipline; spanking if needed. I believe that you show elders respect in word and deed. I believe in building up children and having high expectations for them. I believe in giving children roots when they are young so when they are older they can spread their wings and fly. All these things I mentioned, I believe, start the day your child is born.
Let me tell you, having well behaved children is no accident. It is intentional & at times can be work. And in case you are wondering, it doesn't get easier when they leave the nest. That's when you pray that there is very little you forgot to tell/teach/model for them. Where all this is leading is to an article I read online today about a New Jersey teen suing her parents. You may wonder if the child was exploited or abused by her parents. No. Did her parents take things from her and make her fend for herself? No. The child left home because "she didn't want to abide by the household rules, like being respectful, keeping a curfew & doing some chores." What the!?
The first problem dad is that you are waiting until your child is 18 to try to enforce your household rules. How's that turning out for ya'? (See last sentence, first paragraph) I'm glad, dad, you wished you had grown-up in a house with very little structure, but, you can see where it has lead now, right? You now have an entitled, bratty, 18 year old diva. No thank you! Does the phrase "You reap what you sow" apply here. I think so.
The worst of this is, now, if his daughter wins her court case, there is a president for other bratty children to have their parents bend to their every whim. If the judge is wise, he/she will order that child to be punished for her juvenile behavior. My momma would have lit her fanny up. (actually she made us dance...to the tune of a switch. You talk about imprinting on your psyche. Ouch!) Maybe that is what she needs. Someone to say "I care enough about you to let you know that what you are doing is wrong".
Just for the record, I hate to discipline my kids. I mean HATE IT! It makes me sad when they don't listen, or don't do what they're told, or make unwise decisions. I discipline them because I love them. I discipline them because one day they will be out in the real world & they need to know how to be adults. I love them too much to leave them to their own devices.
I pray wisdom prevails in this case, because the repercussions for years to come are unthinkable.
Celebrating Life & raising kids!
~ashley
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