What Do You Think? - Suffolk,VA

A. ~

I absolutely think the state of today's children lies, in part, to the fact that alot of parents are less involved with their children than in the past. In most households, both parents are working. They come home late, stressed out, and generally just want "their" time - not able and/or willing to reach out to their kids. These kids come home to empty houses, with lots of unsupervised time on their hands. The potential for getting into trouble is high (ESPECIALLY as they get OLDER, when most parents think they can be left to their own devices). I would trust a 12 year old home alone before a 16 year old anyday! Parents need to WAKE UP and realize that, whatever it takes, we need to be ACTIVE in our children's lives.

I also think that society plays a role in the deterioration of our children's morals and values. LOOK AROUND US! Sex is everywhere. Things are tolerated like never before. Kids call their friend's parents by their first names. There seems to be a general disrespect for authority, as well as a lack of personal responsibility. I think alot of kids today are just plain SPOILED ROTTEN! They're given everything, handed to them on a silver platter. They feel ENTITLED. When things don't go their way, they think they can just go out and TAKE what they want. Parents seem to be afraid of their kids. They don't want to "upset" them or hold them accoutable for their actions. And society just keeps accepting more and more deplorable behaviour.

All that having been said, I still think most kids are GREAT! They are learning who they are and I truly feel they need and WANT some boundaries set for them. The more involved we are, the better.

Bless you ~ K.

I am not a parent...well, technially I do not have my OWN kids..but, I am a step-mom and I step grandparent and an auntie..
I have also helped raise a LOT of babies to children...when I was a nanny for 37+ years..so, I can give you some advice....
Kids have told me that they want the attention from their parents..and a LOT of that..not really the gifts that their parents give them or hand to them..but, more the attention and time that their parents give to them..and I would agree...I even still love that affection, from my parents..even as an adult! I am grateful to have that!!
I miss being a small child and having my mother read to me...Now a days I love when I talk to my mom about geneology or family issues, or whatever!! It's nice to be able to have that still happening in my life!!

YOur kids really do appreciate the stuff that you are "physically" there for or even emotionally there for!! I have had kids tell me to my face that they just wanted some of my attention!!
I can totally relate to this!!

I think that this is major!!

Really, think about this, yourself...what would YOU want from YOUR caretakers, guardians or parents..etc.?
Would you want gifts and to always be alone..or would you prefer that somebody loved you so much that they loved to read to you, or sit with you and listen to what "you had to say". or to play a game with you, or take you to places, etc..?

That is something I would also think about ....for this question...how IMPORTANT is this to you and your children and or family members?

J.

I don't know how I will feel when my daughter gets older, but the most thing a child needs is his or her parents.

A child doesn't need a ton of activities or to be carted around from place to place. I look at my sister's schedule and she spends so much time carting her kids around to organized kid events that it seems she doesn't just stop and play with them.

My child is only 14 months, but people are shocked that we take her to the tennis courts with us and take her out to dinner at nice places. If she is with us and fed, she is happy.

Hi A.,

The first thing I found when I had children was to have a routine and that is how the parents participates in their children's lives. Parents are the directors of the programmed routines, such as:

Wake up Call,Dressing,Breakfast together,Brushing teeth
Out the door to school,Home from school,Change clothes
Chores,Play time,Dinner, Clean up
Home Work,Ready for bed,Bedtime,Lights out

Secondly, Routine would stay the same except different things would be done like going to the park or going to church or anything else that your family does together.

Thirdly, Parents are actively involved in the school programs for their children, PTA's, Sports, or Music or arts. Parents are the master mind behind everything their child does until they turn 18 and are out of the house.

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.