#prose, #opinion, «Raising Children or Spoiling Them?»

So you have children, well this is for you…

I remember that my mother only had to say, «because I’m your mother, that’s why» and all my questions and demands would come to an end.

Also, if I misbehaved, or rather, behaved in an unacceptable manner, and kept pestering, she would look at me and simply say, «don’t, don’t make me, wait for it!» and that’s it, I would back off because I knew a good slap would be coming soon.

And when my mother was tired of hearing me defending myself and arguing nonsense ad nauseam with buts and more buts, she would reply, «no buts or buts, that’s it!» And that was the end of it.

But many of you let children do whatever they want. This excess, this permissiveness, is not good for them, I warn you. Children want you, their parents, to guide them, set limits, educate them, and steer them in the right direction. You shouldn’t let them be the one’s to decide what to do or what they want. They will mature and then they will, but not as children, especially the very young ones. Do parents have the responsibility for the behaviour of their children? Of course. That’s been the rule throughout history, and now you, the so-called modern parents, are not fulfilling it.

Furthermore, one of the reasons why you have to control your kids is so that they don’t bother or drive others crazy. Especially in public places, on terraces, in bars, in shops, and on city sidewalks. In restaurants, you shouldn’t let them run around the tables as if they were in a playground. I’m not saying you should tie them to the chair, but teach them that it’s not okay to do that in a restaurant. And if they get bored and act silly, it’s your fault. Stop the afternoon drinks and extra beers, pay the bill, and take them to a park to play and burn energy. Oh, you don’t feel like it? Well, you should not have had children. Now deal with them.

Another very important thing is that you are not teaching them to be good future members of society. To be good citizens, you have to teach them good manners, to acquire and appreciate good taste, to know how to greet and say goodbye, and to treat elders respectfully and properly. In short, they have to learn to behave like civilized beings and not like little puppies. And respect is of the utmost important. They have to learn to respect others, respect you, (because no one loves who one does not respect), nature, and animals. That’s the key to peace and justice and the rightful way for them to become honest, honorable men and women. That’s how we will all enjoy a better world.

Children cannot be allowed to behave badly and have whims. On the contrary, they have to learn the value of things and appreciate their parents’ sacrifices. They have to learn to recognise the efforts made on their behalf. And that way they will be supportive and not arrogant or haughty. And for God’s sake, don’t try to turn them into unbearable snobs like those who think they are better than everyone else, because you are dooming them to failure, and no one will tolerate or love them.

We want to love your children as we love our own, and that’s why we ask you to educate them. After all that is your responsibility. And if you have to give them a spanking or a good scolding, okay, that’s never killed anybody. But be careful, don’t abuse or mistreat them. But if you need to change their behaviour immediately, perhaps because of sudden danger, a good swift spanking will do it. But do it with love.

And no, I’m not a paediatrician or child psychologist. I’m just one of those whom your spoiled brats have driven crazy too many times. Yes, you, you and you… 😊