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Originally Posted by Carn
Umm, the inmates began running the asylum because your generation let them. Whose kids do you think are growing up right now? YOURS.
(not yours, but your generation's)
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Point taken. And you are right. It just takes me aback to find out that sooo many parents from my generation are in efect 'non-parents' and try to be friends with their kids.
I'm not sure why, as my values (and my wife's) have been to take the hard road, and ensure that there is a modicum of discipline, accountability as well as rewards. the kids certainly get pissed off at us, especially when they compare their friend's lifestyle to theirs. For example, the friends get to have all ranges of electronics in their bedrooms. Ours get a radio/cd player. The playstation has been disconnected (and will remain so during the school year - that is during Christmas it will be out again) and bed times are strictly enforced, so that they get as close to the requisite 10 hrs for growing kids per day.
It's hard, but the kids are happy that they get marks in the high 80's - 90's and are offered good part time jobs. they are proud of their bronze medallions for swimming, and are glad that we enrolled them in lessons. There is also the Kumon done on a daily basis which has pretty well guarranteed that they are not afraid of math.
A lot of work for us parents, but that's what we signed on for. My wife even retired from her (very well paying) job as an IT consultant for Price Waterhouse, to be a stay at home mom. Mostly to ensure that homework effort is supported, and it has worked out well, despite the sudden lack of funds...
Maybe the turn has been that there is an increase in 2 parents working per household, and that leaves kids to raise themselves, and parents who are too tired to deal with the full slate of parenting at the end of the day.