March 30, 2007
Parenting
The taboos against discussing religion and politics should also apply to the topic of parenting. While both religion and politics can be personal, there are probably few things as personal as parenting choices.
No two people have exactly the same beliefs, mores or principles, even if they are both parents to the same children. What I would hope is for couples who have children to have more beliefs in common with one another than opposed.
Dash and I are very different people, but we share many of the same ideas and values. His parenting approach and style are more laid back than mine, but our children know what is and is not acceptable in our household.
We insist our children show respect to adults by addressing them properly (Miss Susan, Mr. Yabu, Mr. Denny, Mr. Goat) and responding to questions with “Yes, Ma’am, Yes, Sir, No Ma’am, No Sir.” We also insist our children respect their peers and treat others kindly.
Are my children perfect?
Absolutely not.
However, they do know and understand the difference between right and wrong, as Dash and I have defined them.
When we are in the homes of others, we also show our respect to our hosts by adopting our very best manners. There homes are not for us to destroy or defile.
It is no coincidence most of our close friends with children also share many of our core values.
The purpose of making children behave has less to do my own dictatorial tendencies than teaching them the tools which will help make them to be successful in this life.
There is a dichotomy they must learn. On the one hand, we have to build our children up and help them to become self-assured, self-confident individuals to meet the hard knocks that surely await them as adults.
On the other hand, they also have to understand the sun does not rise and set purely for Little Johnny’s or Little Suzy’s pleasure. Our society is a social one. In order to succeed in this country, one must learn how best to get along with others. That begins and ends with self-respect and respect for others.
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I do agree with you. Though my child's ability to be polite has been increasingly replaced by his ability to pretend to listen while he is not . . .
Respect, respect and responsibility - two of the most important things a parent can teach a child.
Posted by: oddybobo at March 30, 2007 09:10 AMYou are absolutely correct. The quickest way to NOT get invited back to the hovel is to make us discipline your children when you visit.
Posted by: WarWagon at March 30, 2007 09:56 AMAmen, Sister! Amen!
Posted by: Richmond at March 30, 2007 02:04 PM