There’s nothing wrong with success. But there are ways to achieve it that don’t include calling your kid names.
Isn’t that what the whole western model of freedom is about? Setting people free to achieve on their own, rather than coercing them through powerful authority?
“But there are ways to achieve it that don’t include calling your kid names.”
It certainly does in my book, and I’ll stick my results, EARNED self-esteem of my kids up against ANYONE. I’ve always said that if I wrote a book about raising kids, the title would be: “You Ain’t Shiite” (although I would use an American swear term in place of the religious reference).
It’s a phrase that I’ve used numerous times on all my kids. It basically tells them to stop acting like they’re the center of the world and accept the fact they are an ant, in our society. In essence, it tells them to start growing up and they’ll be praised when they deserve it, and will be told otherwise (in no uncertain terms) when they don’t.
But I do have some problems with Amy, particularly the hours (a day) of music she put them through. My (immigrant) wife started that also and I put up with it (and the associated screaming by everyone), but finally came down on the side of kids and we did get past that.
But overall, the LAST THING that I do is coddle my kids...it just wrecks them for life. If they’re a jerk, I sure as heck let them know it, and in a way that I would (and did) talk in high school.