April 1, 2010

Okay, so I have been told that I should write about kids...having them, raising them, bargining with them, BRIBING them ("if you wear the nice outfit that Aunt Martha sent you I PROMISE that mommy will buy you the Commander Death video game!!!!  NOW PUT ON THE GODDAMN JACKET!!!!!!!").  But what makes some people better parents than others?  Is it upbringing or is it education?  Nature or nurture?  Well, I have no idea.  I can tell you that I have raised two daughters who, so far, have turned out well.  We never had any of the temper fits or screaming fights in my home.  Doing poorly in school was not acceptable and chores were a part of everyday life.  Let me be clear: we are not a wealthy family by any stretch of the imagination.  Everything that we provided for our children was a HUGE struggle, but worth every penny.  Early on, our daughters knew that we did not have what everyone else had, but they always had what they needed.  I think that a big problem today is that parents fell the insatiable need to say yes to their kids, especially if they have the money to do so.  Even in these tough economic times parents are still purchasing, X-Boxes, Wii's, Playstations and all of the paraphanalia that goes along with.  It is easier for parents to put the kids in front of the TV, movie or video game than to interact with them.  In Roald Dahl's book Mathilda the Wormwoods live their lives by what is on the television.  It is the focal point for their lives, both literally and figurativley.  Mr. Dahl's book is prophetic...we have become a society of Wormwoods.  We are all guilty of this.  After all, what is the harm in allowing your six month old to gaze at Elmo or Cookie Monster on Sesame Street?  Nothing, as long as it is done in moderation.  Why do parents feel the need to say "yes" to everything?  It's not good for a child to get everything they want.  Let's remember another Roald Dahl Character whom we all know so well: Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Need I say more.  It's good to say no to your children often and on a regular basis.  What 14 year old NEEDS an iPhone?  None.  It's that simple.