May 18th, 2007
Growing up, it was instilled in me that material objects and money do not reflect the type of person you are. No matter how rich or pretty, manners and respect will get you so much further then the what name brand you’re wearing and whether or not you make six figures.
So why is it that so many teenagers, and even young children, have no manners whatsoever? Why do they behave like uncontrollable monkeys swinging in trees, flinging shit at one another? There is practically no control over this generation of children. Have they seriously been given so much freedom (by disassociated parents) and protection (from ass whoppin’s) that they have no fear of repercussions for their actions?
I was far from a model child. I was crude and wild; I beat on my younger brother, I was kicked out at 16 (but begged to return home in less then a week), drank, smoked, etc. BUT I never ever treated those in authoritative positions with disrespect. I was taught at least that much.
So many kids now verbally, if not physically, abuse their parents and teachers. Why is this tolerated?
Where am I going with this?
Discipline.
I do agree with re-directing and none-violent approaches to disciplining a child, but in some cases a good ol’ fashion beating may be in order. Seriously.
Hold on, don’t be calling Child Services yet. Hear me out.
Have you not seen the results of re-directing and no hitting? Wild shit flinging monkeys!
One thing that Mike and I do agree on - spankings should make a comeback (sadly enough, the only thing that we agree on is the fact that we should be able to beat our child if we see fit).
I remember when I was little and did something wrong, I would sob uncontrollably even at the thought of my mom bearing my ass for a good spanking. Sometimes I even gave it some consideration prior to smashing my brother over the head with a hockey stick or pushing him down the stairs. Striking the fear of Jay-seus into a child can work just as well because it causes them to think about their actions and *gasp* re-direct! See… it works dammit! And I turned out alright!
Carter is too young for the spanking approach. He doesn’t quite understand “Kid, I’m gonna beat your ass if you hit that dog one more time!” . Know what I love though? When he does something he’s not supposed to and I re-direct him; when he does the RIGHT thing, we clap and yell “Hooooorrrayy!” as we throw our arms up in the air. He gets this HUGE sly grin on his face and is gleaming with pride because he’s completed a task as asked. Makes my heart swell with pride and love.
Guess this re-direction thing works a’ight too.
Sam, you and I are more alike than I realized. And behaved more alike than you would know–ask my poor sister LOL
And I couldn’t agree with you more about parents needing to be able to spank and discipline their children. Something is definitely different with this generation (I call it a sense of entitlement) and the fact that we can no longer discipline the way we see fit and the fact that we place children on a pedestal seem to be big difference from how I was raised and how today’s children are raised.
No, I was not beaten, but I knew I could be if I pushed the boundaries too far. It did make me think–sometimes I thought the risk was worth it, more times than not…but I thought before I acted! And that is what these kids do NOT do.
Yes entitlement is very true! Totally what it is. These teenagers are born with silver spoons shoved so far us their asses they can taste it!
May 18th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
I’m with ya girl! We spank in my home as a last resort discipline. In dangerous situations or if other means of discipline fail then we hand out a pop on the back of the leg. I know the claim is that spanking teaches violence but if that’s the case then why are children more violent than ever? I was spanked as a kid and not a pop on the bum but a full out whippin’ and I’m not the least bit violent.
I know! Kids are brutally violent and so desensitized to everything! Really scary I think!
I’d use it as a last resort, like picking your battles… regular spanks are not as effective as if they are few and far between with an actual meaning. They should be used as a last resort, not a first.
May 18th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
When I first saw the title of this post, I thought you were going to be talking about “mooning” but you hit on a much more important topic (although mooning would have been hilarious).
My son will not dare push me or Brett (his 18 y.o brother) because he knows we will lay the proverbial smack down when needed. Alexis on the other hand? He has his way with her, until Brett or I walk into the room.
We went to a comedy show last night and one of the comedians talked about kids these days. He got on to the subject of what if your 16y/o daughter was a ‘ho and that he would be afraid to spank her because she might like it.
Mooning would be a funner topic! LOL @ the ho joke, it’s so true.
May 20th, 2007 at 1:36 pm