[Rifleman]

When I was about four, my Mom caught me with a red plastic truck that I had stolen from the 5 'n dime. She stopped the Chief of Police (a small town, he was patrolling the Square) and ratted me out. Chief Stanley Malone put me in the back of his car and had his handcuffs out when he just happened to mention that if I took the truck back and apologized to the store manager he could let me go...this time.

I took the deal.

I suspect that the kid needs a daddy to beat his butt and require him to behave. It sounds as if his mother is no help at all.

[camle]

vapid is a word the mother seems to evoke

[the OlLine Rebel]

That's when parents didn't treat kids like the whole world revolves around *them*, and that they never hurt and they must get their wishes (a`la Dr Spock) - which, believe it or not, is a very bad and definitely selfish premise.

Now you notice every parent of every stripe says "not my kid" or "he was just...." instead of a) believing he did something wrong & b) punishing him for it.


Yup, it all goes back to Dr Spock.

[Baraonda]

Lovely story.

Brought a big smile to my face.

Thanks for sharing it with us and Merry Christmas.