Brats! Why Are So Many Parents Afraid To Say "No?"

LA Times, via Memphis Flyer ^ | July 30, 2004 | Martin Booe

[Mo1]

Opps .. sorry

I was to busy ignoring my kids whinning *L*

I'll go read it now

[sweetliberty]

"Brattiness is probably a major cause of our abysmally low birth rates."

Killing several million babies isn't helping it a lot either.

[sweetliberty]

"I was to busy ignoring my kids whinning"

LOL!

[Mo1]

OK .. just read it

I can't stand parents like this and I don't have them nor their kids in my house and I don't go to their homes

I tried that whole play date stuff when my oldest was little and she would make friends with the most high maintenance kids I have ever meet and their parents where just as whacky

Sorry .. I'd rather have my eye lashes plucked out then spend a minute with those types of parents and their kids

[sweetliberty]

I hear that. I had several strained friendships over the years Dawn was growing up because my friends would not control their children and would take exception if I tried to (in my own home, mind you). Some of them, I simply had to stop having in my home. It wasn't worth it. And it all boiled down to the parents being overly permissive. Not all of them were liberals either, in fact, most weren't, although I think in general that liberals tend to be more permissive (read, less accountable and therefore less likely to hold their kids accountable) than conservatives, but I think that has to do with our overall approach to life, family and responsibility.

[sweetliberty]

Cy, you need to come over here and make Laz behave. He's embarassing himself.

[cyborg]

That would be like telling the Mississippi River to flow backwards.

[sweetliberty]

LOL! Good point.

[Lazamataz]

"We have already told our daughter that if she gets a tattoo, we are ALL going to get the same tattoo."

Better hope she doesn't call your bluff. You might look, and feel, rather silly with a butterfly on your butt.

TWO butterflys on his butt. AppyPappy's had the first one for decades.

[sweetliberty]

"TWO butterflys on his butt. AppyPappy's had the first one for decades"

Oooooooooo.....

[Mo1]

It comes down to Respect .. respect for others .. respect for other peoples property and respect for one self

These types of parents may think it's cute their kids are behaving so terrible .. what they don't realize they and their kids are the one every talks about .. and it's usually not nice things that are being said

I don't have many rules in my house .. and as you know, I have one of those homes where every kid comes to play .. but one rule I do have is Play nice or don't play at all

If you don't like my home and my rules .. Fine .. then Go Home

[sweetliberty]

Bingo! And funniest thing, most of Dawn's friends liked coming to our house, even the ones who didn't have much disciline at home.

[locochupacabra]

Not mine. I have a nine-year-old son that I have successfully hidden from the world, and when we dine out, he wolf-whistles at the waitresses, orders his food demandingly and ends every order with "and make it fast, Cookie!", and smacks the waitress on the butt every time she walks by.

I smell a sit com in his future! ;)

[AppyPappy]

TWO butterflys on his butt. AppyPappy's had the first one for decades.

Those aren't butterflies. Those are your lip marks.

[redhead]

"4. NEVER discipline in anger."

Exactly. Right on the money. I don't know why I forgot to include this, but it is VERY important.

[avenir]

You've got guts, Hildy! How many of us have felt the same and remained frozen? I know one day I'm going to snap like you did, I just hope I don't go to jail...LOL!

[Hildy]

I couldn't believe how angry I was. I don't have children, maybe that's it, but one of my big pet peeves is children being disrespectful to their parents.

[coder2]

I know what you mean ------ I am just shocked when I hear this kid talk to his mother...

My kids cannot believe it ---- they know I'd level a little corporal punishment myself

[cspackler]

Thank you for beating me to it. We often give our daughter a choice of 2 or 3 options on certain things. My wife will bring out two outfits that are acceptable for the day, and ask her which one she wants to wear. She gets a sense of control of her destiny while we maintain the ability to frame all of the decisions. And, as you say, if she decides later that she chose poorly, she has to stick with her initial decision and learns a little lesson.

Today was a perfect example. we had a great day, did a liitle shopping and then walked the train tracks to the park and played all afternoon. When it was time for picking up her room before bath, however, she decided to tell me that she wasn't going to pick up her "babies". I then agreed with her and enforced my usual rule of "if I have to pick them up, I keep them". Two pretty little dolls are now packed in the top of my closet for a day or two. There was much crying and pleading and "I'm sorrys", but she knows they don't come back today. It can be hard to convince my wife to stick to the guns, but she gets it.

I definitley was not her favorite peson tonight, but that's OK.

[television is just wrong]

Ignorant parents, and guilt.

ALSO THE SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEM.