Shannon Falls, August 2012

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Open House

Parents honestly have no idea what is going on with their children. I'm convinced of it. Open House just affirmed it. These were a couple of my favorites from last night:

"Why isn't he turning in his homework?"
"Is he living up to his potential?"
"How can I get her to study?"

Okay, seriously, guys. My other favorite is when I'm talking to the parents on the phone or in person and they say, "I just don't know what to do with him/her. (Imagine fretting, wringing hands at this point.) He/she just won't do anything I tell him/her to, and I don't know how to discipline him/her." Well, let me get ahold of your child! Oh, that's right, you won't let me! I'd be happy to beat some sense into your child. Grow up, parents! Be PARENTS. Take away privileges, ground your child, spank him! It's really okay. (For the record, I'm not talking abuse, just good old-fashioned discipline.) When did the child become the one ruling the household? Hayden will never doubt our love for him, but he'll also know what the hand to his backside feels like. He won't dictate to us what will and won't happen (and if you're going to say, "Oh just wait til he gets here, blah, blah, blah, please don't. I'm saying that as nicely as I can. We are the adults, the parents, not our son.) Okay, so I feel somewhat better. Please don't be offended. I'm just so sick of parents getting upset with me over what THEY can control! Sigh. Better now.

3 comments:

Heather said...

I'm with you...children need appropriate discipline and shouldn't be allowed to be boss.

Here's a great book that you can recommend: Loving Obedience (1st edition under the title Train Up Your Child) by Dr. William J. Richardson. He's a professor of mine and has some really solid, Biblical ideas on parenting and discipline.

Chas Ray said...

I KNOW where you're coming from. It is time to go back to Biblical principles "Spare the rod spoil the child." I'm proud of you Jamie hang in there!

Anna said...

Abby will be spanked... she will appreciate it one day. I'm glad my parents disciplined me. I sure needed it!