Sir Responds

To my previous post I received this comment, and it bears printing and then commenting on:-


Wellllll....since things are being pointed at me directly, I guess I'll have to respond.Parenting is an art form, not a science, and different strokes apply for different folks.
Living in a society where you can be dobbed in (look it up) for smacking your child does present its challenges here.I do not pass judgment on you...er...Sir Wreckless...and wish you all the best.
My view is that there has to be a balance - kids are always trying their boundaries and need to know when too much is too much. This gives them a frame of reference from which they draw on for life, and builds the foundations for their moral values and, indeed, their own parenting model.
It also gives them comfort and self esteem, as they know what to do, and what not to do. It is always an interesting concept when two individuals, sometimes with different value systems and life experiences, try to adapt or meld with a single parenting framework for their own children.
Some individuals are determined to do or be everything there parents weren’t and end up over-compensating. Others insist on being exactly like their own parents. What gets left out of the formula here is that the children are independent spirits of their own – you can only guide and influence slightly the personality and psyche that underlies your child.
If they understand fully that they have overstepped their bounds and hence there will be punishment, they need to understand that good behaviour will be rewarded.
I am not advocating dangling carrots and bribing them, but they obviously had some freedoms before of which they have now been deprived.Watch out though – the pendulum of power should swing back to grant some freedoms again, otherwise the vice-like grip will result in bits squeezing out through the fingers.
They may rebel. The slaves are revolting.
Here endeth the lesson.
Call me Doctor Solomonster. Yes, if anyone wants to know I have three kids, 9, 7 & 2. Since parenting is always an emotive subject I expect backlash.


So, I did not pick you out because of your personal opinions / comments / etc, but only mentioned you because in our recent chat you did mention that you were feeling uneasy about something involving me and mine, and for this I thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. No offence meant. And as always your input is invaluable. Say Hi to the "Tequila Sheila" for me.

Salagatle!