"On the other hand, boomer parents have been good role models for our children in other ways, including a strong work ethic and social activism. Our kids tend to be confident achievers, thanks to our obsession with education and, yes, ego."
I wonder if she really believes that.
The comments at the Boston Globe site are interesting.
...sounds like a little trip to Parris Island or Fort Benning is indicated for Junior. Send his lame ass into the military.
You do not want to know how my husband managed to solve that dilemma in an hour. I’ll just say it was all legal.
Is it any surprise as to why these kids cannot act as adults? Their parents keep rescuing them.
The writer gives herself away when she referred to her husband’s raising as “extreme” and said that he (her husband) and she both thought her husband’s father was “torturing” him. Good grief!!
Why should they think ?
***On the other hand, boomer parents have been good role models for our children in other ways, including a strong work ethic and social activism. Our kids tend to be confident achievers, thanks to our obsession with education and, yes, ego. But danged if they can fertilize the lawn.***
There is a reason God gave us two hands. One was for reaching out....the other one was for smacking sense into our offspring. This ditz will never get it!
Her whole essay was pompous bragging of world travel and affluence. She needs a good whupping as well as the kids she has so clearly neglected. They are simply accessories for her self-indulgent lifestyle.
Liberal compassion is like a mother that carries her child everywhere never letting the child learn how to walk.
It should be viewed as child abuse.
I’m a failure as a parent. My kids leave all their stuff right where it drops — but — I can count on them to shovel the walk, mow the yard, help bale hay, plow the driveways for the grandparents and us, cook a meal and feed the cows if we need help.
It seems like BIG stuff will get them to deploy but regular everyday stuff causes the most arguments.
As for the contact lenses in the original story, I would have said “Too bad. Wear your glasses.” And, as for the friend who forgot her money, “Call your parents. Good luck.”
The author is delusional. Confident acheivers? These kids are garden variety, useless little pricks because of the enabling parents.
At the end of the article the author says the kids have a strong work ethic?
Not the ones I have worked with. They are lazy, inconsiderate and undependable.
I understand more and more employers are starting to hire people over 30 more and more.
AND they probably really did it too.....
Their kids (us) had to live very frugally, no extravanganzas, no frills, B&W TV's, the whole shooting match. Well, here comes the BB (Baby boomers), now begin parenting back in the, say, 1960's to 1990's.
"By G*D my kids are NOT going to have to put up with what I had to put up with;ie, THEY will have EVERYTHING I did NOT have when I was a kid..."
And THERE you have it!!
We not only gave our kids EVERYTHING we practically PROGRAMED them in to an entitlement generation. Instead of "what can I do to help to pull my weight" their whine became "What are you going to do FOR ME right now?"
Helicopter parents don't create responsible, hard working citizens, they create "Homing pidgeons!!!
You do NOT have to be your "kids best friend!" Argh how I HATE to hear a parent tell me they think of their 14-21 year old child as "their best friend"... Stop it. They are your children, NOT your best friend. They NEED direction, they NEED discipline, they NEED parenting, NOT a best friend.
Oh, but I forgot, you have to work 50+ hours a week to pay off the big home, that new BMW, or that expensive wardrobe. Oh, hey, BTW, the kids are all in "kiddy kennels" or public schools from 8:00am to 5:30pm. No time to parent....
Oh well, just buy 'em the newest video game, or get 'em a new iPod... Yeah that works too, right? Isn't that parenting?
I think the most important things we gave our son was encouragement to learn and do life skills. We didn’t make it seem like chores, more like fun projects.
He’s 21 now, has his BA and Masters, lives on his own, keeps a clean house, does a good job w/his laundry, can cook (when he wants to which isn’t often), is a great shopper and bargain hunter, changes his own oil and can maintain his car, can fix up about anything around the house from plumbing to recently installing a central vacuum system, knows how to do lawn work, pays his bills on time and after college got his own phone and insurance in his name and was smart enough to put them on autopay (LOL), works a full time job, has a great work ethic and saves for the future, he can shoot a gun, pilot and maintain a boat, spearfish (and always has fish on hand), plays a couple instruments for his own pleasure, etc. etc. etc..
We were generous when he was growing up, he didn’t lack for anything he wanted (actually he didn’t really want too much), but I think the main generosity that will benefit him in his life, is the generosity of my husband’s time. Due to his generosity with his time, he taught, nurtured, mentored, and instructed our son in life skills that will serve him well in the future.
“On the other hand, boomer parents have been good role models for our children in other ways, including a strong work ethic and social activism. Our kids tend to be confident achievers, thanks to our obsession with education and, yes, ego.”
Greatest generation.
As for the fellow who made the comment about not hiring anyone over 30, you know, thanks. It’s nice to know that all of us young’uns are irresponsible!
How about giving some of us a chance so we can work and enjoy the fruits of our labour. I’m sure you were fully formed out of the womb responsible and that someone gave you a hand up.
Mommies mommy too much.
And dads bitch up.
sick world
I am constantly amazed when I observe white urban life.
90% of today’s Americans have nothing in common with our founders
We’re retired now, and like most, come from the “Take care of yourself” generation. However,wven amongst “our kind” (cough) - 70s and over - there are some of our age that contine the bail outs.
We know of one woman in her 80s, whose husband died and left her well off, who has re-mortaged her house to “help” our her kids and grand kids. $100,00 went to “save” her daughter’s home in Las Vegas, only to see it evaporate when foreclosure came. Daughter is now nearer to mom and on welfare, while her lay-about husband “looks for work” in Colorado. Mommie is there EVERY day, most of the time shelling out bucks. Same outlay with other kids.
She is impervious to the rest of us telling her to cut them loose, so all we can do is watch her sink deeper into debt “for the kids”.
Schooling destroys common sense. It’s so obvious that it shouldn’t require proof.
Once kids are thrown, bound and gagged, onto the expressway of life, they begin to sober up —as long as they aren’t hit first.