When I have kids and when they act up (which, judging by the behaviors of children in my gene pool, will be often) I’ll ‘reason’ with them once and only once. The second time I’ll tell them to quit. On strike three they’re gonna get pounded… and I won’t give a shit who’s watchin’! That was how my parents did it, and you know what? I’ve never had any trouble remembering manners or that there are other people on the planet besides myself. Perhaps my parents’ methods did traumatize me to some degree. That’s good. Life’s tough; the sooner a person learns it, the easier that person can suitably acclimate to it.
These days, I guess I’ve witnessed one Portland brat too many, running wild, destroying things, hitting playmate’s and/or random strangers, sassin’ his/her parental units while they, the parents, obliviously and complaisantly, stand back and expect all other’s to either ignore or find amusement in their little monster’s mayhem. I can’t decide if “progressive” parents believe that discipline, in all forms, is wrong or if they are just simply lazy.
A constructive dialog between a progressive parent and child:
“….no, please Soliloquy. You’re to young to be out in the street; nice girls stay on the sidewalk. Cars may not see you or hurt you …please Soliloquy, that hedgetrimmer is not for little girls to use. …Soliloquy, good girls don’t run up an tug on stray dogs’ ears, the doggie may not be a nice doggie… Soliloquy, I don’t think Pai likes you pulling his pants down… oh that!?! that’s what makes boys, boys.”
FUCK THAT!!!
Thug’s translation:
“…out of the street now and I may only make your ass sting for two minutes instead of five. …[after trimming a thick switch with the hedgetrimmer] now imagine if that were your finger; do you really want to play with this now!?! …that dog just might be hungry enough to bite a nice big chunk out of your butt… …Your friend Pai is very sick. He’s suffering from a bad disease that causes strange growths between his legs. If you want to keep from catching what Pai has then stay away from him.”
That’s good parenting!
3 replies on “…On Child Rearing”
Kinda like raisin’ a dog. Positive reinforcement, yes they do respond to food, but they also respond hella better when you slap their nose. Everything in moderation, but why make everyone suffer your insolent brats?
Indeed, avoidance is probably the best source of motivation. It’s why my poor parents will probably never see me procreate.
When did you give birth to your baby girl!?!?! Yes, I agree that there is a lack of discipline for many children these days and they’re being allowed to walk all over whoever’s in front of them. I was reprimanded by my parents and for good reasons though I’d never say that it got as far as abusive. It was the reasonable fear of those above you in the proverbial food chain that kept me in line and still does. And knowing the consequences of your actions is paramount and something we’ll always have to deal with.