We don't need a village

Parents often talk about the younger generation as if they didn't have anything to do with it.
~Haim Ginott~

Is it just me or does anyone else think that society has entirely too much say in how our children are raised today?  Once when a little boy made a rude and somewhat nasty comment to his mother, I asked her "why do you let him get away with that?"  Her answer left me a bit flabbergasted. "What can I do? All the kids talk like that."  I did remind her that she was not responsible for "all" kids - only hers.  The glare I received was all I needed to know it was time to butt out.

Children need to be taught respect - respect for others and respect for themselves. Sometimes, respecting your parents includes a healthy dose of fear.  Don't get me wrong - I don't think any child should be afraid of his or her parents but I think they SHOULD be afraid of the consequences when they misbehave or act out.

When I was little, people minded their own business when it came to parents disciplining children. Isn't that how it should be?  My neighbors and friends aren't responsible for how my children turn out so why should they have a say in how they're raised?  Truth is, they shouldn't.

Everyone has their own opinions and ideas on how best to raise a child.  Truthfully, I'm not positive there's any one best way.  I do know, though, that it does NOT take a village to raise a child.  You've heard the saying that too many cooks spoil the broth?  Well, I'd say that applies to raising children too.  It's hard enough for two people to agree on how to raise a child.  Can you imagine how confusing it must be to have a whole society trying to raise that child?

I absolutely believe in spanking as a form of discipline though I don't believe it applies in every case.  I also know there's a lot of controversy concerning spanking.  Spanking a child and beating a child are two entirely different things.  What I don't understand is why some people see spanking in any form as abuse.  I see ANY punishment that's excessive as abusive.  If you put a child in 'time out' in the morning and make them stay there until bedtime with only mealtimes for reprieves is excessive and abusive in my opinion.

Our teachers and school guidance counselors also have too much influence in how we raise our children.  Children are told in school that if a parent 'hits' them, they can call the cops.  I absolutely get it that those teachers and guidance counselors are the first line in protecting our children from abusive parents but they go too far too often.  Our children need and deserve to be protected from abuse but I think they also need to be protected from society - especially when they're young.

I'm so glad I'm not raising children in today's society.