bigbadbob's Blog

For several years I’ve been noticing a total lack of discipline in young children.  It seems that parents are allowing rude behavior in their offspring and not teaching them to respect the rights of others.  What ever happened to don’t touch that, or don’t do that, or give that back, it isn’t yours??  You know, civilized guide lines, laws if you will…teaching children right from wrong??  It’s the first step toward obeying certain laws.  People teach their pets not to do bad things, and if they do they’re punished until they correct their behavior.  When house breaking a dog or cat, if they break the rules they’re punished….when they get it right they’re rewarded.  They have to be trained, correct?  Well, so do children.  We as parents are their first teachers.  It’s up to us to show them the difference between right and wrong.  We ARE NOT their friends; we are their PARENTS…their authorities.  If they grow up exhibiting bad behavior, 99% of the time, you better believe it’s OUR fault!!!

 

BUT...You DON’T hit them, you DON’T call them names.  You TEACH them!  Why do we call it POTTY TRAINING??  Because they have to be trained to go to the bathroom.  They can’t figure it out on their own!  So then, why do some new parents stop there?  What makes you think they can figure out life at such an early age?  They have to be TRAINED!!  Don’t play in traffic…Don’t hit other children…Don’t take those toys, they don’t belong to you…Don’t touch that, it will break…Don’t be rude and talk back to your parents and other adults!  And I’m sick and tired of hearing “He’s expressing himself!” or “She’s exploring her boundaries!”  WHAT BOUNDARIES?!?!  YOU HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED ANY!!

 

 I grew up with these rules and passed them on to my daughter.  She turned out great!  In the last few years people we know would visit us and bring their kids with them.  In the summertime they would run around my yard and I’d ask them not to.  They’d ask me why not, and I’d answer because there are other people here and you might run into them but more importantly, you could trip on the lawn furniture and be seriously hurt or fall in the pool.  All I had to do was explain the consequences and they’d say “sure Bob, no problem” and still have fun without the running.  They understood that ALL ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!

 

There was a time, however, when I didn’t have to do this, because their parents would stop them.  But not anymore!!  I truly believe that this lack of discipline, intelligent guidance, respect for others, and lessons in self-control creates the bullies of tomorrow….AND I HATE BULLIES!!!