Fuckin USELESS parents...

[davebullet]

Sadly, the more we use laws as an excuse for taking responsibility and making sensible judgements, we further lose the ability to take responsibility and make sensible judgements.

You don't use it, you lose it applies.

Society is degenerating. Gee, I sound like my grandfather. I wonder whether he would have thought society was in the decline back then as rapidly as I do now.

I'm in a quandry about whether to provide cellphones. Part of me says don't - otherwise you provide the bail out / excuse for getting into trouble. "Doesn't matter if I fuck up, I just call dad and he'll bail me out". The other part says I want them to be able to call me and not to put my head in the sand pretending they won't get into trouble and need to call.

Either way, teach your kids airbags won't save their lives, slower / safer driving will. Likewise, don't do risky shit and expect a cellphone call to save you.

[CookMySock]

Gen Y is having offspring. They had no control and so cannot apply control to their kids. This is the result.

It isn't that they don't have control, it's just that they choose to not unduly exert it - as was done to them as kids.

In the process of finding the balance, we end up learning other lessons.. but what is worse? To continue overtly exerting control, and teaching them that is normal? I think so.

In the new resulting freedom, the kids learn responsibility, because they are directly exposed to risks they must handle for themselves.

With the new freedom comes responsibility, and with that comes freedom, which unfortunately means we must not exert control so readily - pretty tough on parents doing this sometimes.

Steve

[scumdog]

It isn't that they don't have control, it's just that they choose to not unduly exert it - as was done to them as kids.
Steve

And then they reach the point where they bring their kid to me 'to tell them off' -WTF, I'm not the kids father!

I'll talk to the kid, I'll tell 'em of strange stuff like 'consequences' - but I NEVER tell them off just for the parents sake.

I have told off the occassional parent though....

[Skyryder]

I was going into a supermarket yesterday and this kid was coming out with his mother , head bent down not taking any notice of his surroundings, texting, playing games, who knows on his cell phone...............................he was all of six years of age.


Skyryder

[JimO]

I was going into a supermarket yesterday and this kid was coming out with his mother , head bent down not taking any notice of his surroundings, texting, playing games, who knows on his cell phone...............................he was all of six years of age.


Skyryder

when he grows up he will be a labour voter

[Ronin]

And then they reach the point where they bring their kid to me 'to tell them off' -WTF, I'm not the kids father!

I'll talk to the kid, I'll tell 'em of strange stuff like 'consequences' - but I NEVER tell them off just for the parents sake.

I have told off the occassional parent though....

Used to have Mother with misbehaving kids say "if you don't behave, that man will tell you off", "no I won't" Says I, "that's your job"

Fuckem, I have my own kid to raise. I'm not doing theirs as well.

[PrincessBandit]

We got our kids cell phones from about the age of 14 so they were able to contact us while out. Kids are very busy (doing what I'm not entirely sure all the time...) yet I too look back on my own incredibly busy childhood and we managed fine. (And it was only 6cents to use a public pay phone, or free if you knew the backwards tapping thingy).
Funnily enough the intent for us allowing our kids to have phones was with us as the main priority (hahaha). We would top them up for them, but after a while we got onto the vodafone plan where for $20 a month the whole family is able to text and call each other for free. Was the perfect opportunity for us to say, well kids texting and calling dad and I is now free for you all your other communications with your phone YOU pay for! Boy it's been great!