What The Heck Happened?

I grew up to the words, “because I said so”.  These words were enough to get the job done.  Usually being sternly shoved our way by Mom or Dad because we had not listened the dozen times before.  The kids of my generation didn’t really need a reason to clean our room, take out the trash, mow the lawn or do our homework.  Yes there was always a very good reason for us to be doing those things.  But what was more important at that age… for us to know the reason, or to just understand that it’s not always about us and we just need to do what the boss says to do?

We also didn’t get participation trophies.  Church, school and family always came first, and the teacher or adult ALWAYS got the benefit of the doubt! My parents weren’t afraid to spank me in public, or even say spank for that matter and almost all decisions about my young pre-adolescent life were discussed and made by my mother and father.  AS IT SHOULD BE!!

What the heck happened?

What example is being set for our children these days!  What is more important that the legacy that we pass on?  My wife is a public school teacher and I am constantly hearing “excuses” that get made BY THE PARENTS for the children. 

Things such as…

~I can’t really go over their homework every day because we have sports practice every night.

~He/she won’t stop playing their video games long enough to get all the subjects done they have to do.

~He missed the test because we had to go to a movie or sporting event.

~Well we took an extra 5 day cruise before Thanksgiving break so we didn’t have to miss the holiday…can he make up the work.

There also seems to be a trend going around that is all about letting the child make decisions for themselves.  They don’t seem to like eating with the family so we let them eat whatever they want.  They need freedom to express themselves.  There are parents out there who are feeling guilty about making decisions for their children because their children may not like those decisions later in life.  Are you kidding me! 

If this is your thought, then let me ask you this…what exactly is your job?!?!  I know my children don’t know the first thing about raising themselves.  And I believe I was chosen to be their PARENT, not their FRIEND.  They need leadership and discipline.  If they don’t get good examples of that by watching their mother and father they will most certainly grow up believing that everything should be handed to them and they can show up when they want. 

Is this the kind of legacy you want to leave?  Or even better…is this the kind of attitude you want taking care of you in your elder years when you can no longer take care of yourself?

I guess my kids will suffer because they will learn to do things because they are told.  There will be discrimination, because the eldest child will get privileges the youngest child doesn’t.  They will learn to show up to school and do their work.  They will be taught to do their best, but that they don’t always win…and Dad AND Mom approve all decisions that happen in our family.