Soapbox

Excuse me for a moment while I have a soapbox moment.

*Steps Up*

I am tired of parents who do not parent their kids. There are 2 types of parents the overparent and the underparent. Their are other parent types too but I am not bothered by them so I am going to focus on the 2 that are especially bothering me at the moment. Most parents I meet do not fit into these categories but there are a few that I meet that I feel I really need to address.

First up the Overparent! They don't just raise a child, they micro manage them! Every little things is stressed and worried over. These children are growing up to be unhealthy emotionally smothered children. They can't do anything by themselves. They are afraid and scared of every little thing. They go crazy when given some freedom because they don't know what to do with themselves. These are the children that need help with every problem on a paper because they are afraid of getting it wrong. These children also will break down and freak out if anything in their "perfect" world is not perfect.

Secondly, the Underparent. This is the parent who feels that it is my job as the teacher to teach the child EVERYTHING that they need to know. These parents are the ones who take no interest in the things going on in the classroom. They never know what is going on and they are also the ones who are the most offended when I point out an area where there child is deficient. They allow their child to run the show. If the child wants something they may say no for a few moments but eventually the child knows that they can drive the parent crazy enough and get exactly what they want. These parents are also frustrated by lack of progress at school and refuse to work on anything extra at home since it must be something wrong with the classroom...not the child.

Parents, you need to learn that you are the PARENT...your child is resilient, loving, fun and a CHILD. You do not need your child to be your friend. They are your child, and they do childish things, they need guidance and love and if I offend you sorry but children need DISCIPLINE. It's not ABUSE its DISCIPLINE. The word NO never hurt anyone. Children need to be RESPECTFUL of authority. They need to know that they may not hit, scratch, kick or bite to get their way. They need to be GUIDED and Shown how to solve problems through talking and that SORRY doesn't fix everything but it's a good place to start. Playing with your child is important but so is teaching them to be a functioning adult. Don't pick up after them, teach them to clean up. Don't feed them...when they are hungry they will eat! Don't dress them when they are old enough to get their clothes on themselves...it may take extra time but they can do it. Parents, please parent your kids....they are only little for a while and you can't do everything for them for the rest of their lives.

I know that sometimes there are problems and concerns such as genuine disibillities and the like but these are the exceptions not the rule. Its important to help the next generation grow up to be competent adults!

*Steps Down*

Sorry....but this has been bothering me for awhile...had to get it off my chest!