I don't know why this has become a big pet peeve of mine. Don't kids walk to the busstop anymore when the weather is less than sunny and 75? It is chilly here this morning, around 46 degrees, and drizzling rain. My son catches the bus 3 houses down, so I get the umbrella, put on a coat and we walk down. We only find one other child standing there (out of 10 that are usually there). Everyone else is sitting in there parent's car. Now, some of these kids live closer than Justin to the busstop. CLOSER! I hate to sound like one of "those" parents, but when I was his age, I walked much further in rain, snow, ice, etc. I just don't get it.
Yes, when this generation reaches adulthood, we are going to have a nation of pussies! Sad to say, but probably true. We've taken nurturing to perverted new highs.
We live about 8 blocks from our school, and we often like to walk there and pick up the kids and walk back. At first the other parents would pity us and ask us if we needed a ride. They finally got used to the concept that we actually enjoyed the walk.
Originally posted by TrainingGirl: I hate to sound like one of "those" parents, but when I was his age, I walked much further in rain, snow, ice, etc. I just don't get it.
"Up hill, both ways, in the snow, with 40 below zero temps. And I LIKED it." [img]tongue.gif[/img] hahahahahahahahaha sorry T, couldn't help myself.
I know what you're talking about. I totally agree. To add my own thoughts about today's kids to your post.... Doesnt anyone teach their kids respect anymore? Today's kids have absolutely no respect for authority which includes parents and police. If an officer had spoke to me when I was little, I'd have been so respectful. I'd have also been scared shitless that I was going to do something wrong. Today's kids mouth off and have no respect for authority. It's a sad and scary world. I'm trying so hard to teach my kids my values, but everything in the world seems against you. I really have to be careful what they watch on t.v. anymore.....
Ooops. Sorry about the hijack T. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Yes, we a raising a nation of wimps who will be ill-prepared to compete in the global economy, much like the spoiled adult baby-boomers are struggling right now.
Howie
__________________ Yankee by Birth, Rebel by Choice
I will add a little more to this. I was watching some show over the weekend..possibly Dateline or 20/20? They were talking about "Satellite moms". There was a mother on there, who had 2 boys in college. She keeps in contact with them at all times via computer and phone. She calls to make sure they are in class at the right time. She reads all of their term papers before they hand them in. She drives to school and does their laundry, cleans their place and transfers money into their accounts when she sees their bank accounts become low. These kids are in COLLEGE!!! Another mom called her daughter 4 times in a row every morning to wake her up so she can get ready for class. Ever hear of an alarm clock? What the hell are these kids gonna do when mommy's not there to do everything for them. Which she shouldn't even be doing at that point in their lives. I got a job when I was 16, saved my money, bought a car, bought my own clothes, woke myself in the morning to get to school and work. Ugh!!
me and my brother used to walk 2 miles to school and 2 miles back. We didnt have a bus to come pick us up when we lived in chicago. That was from middle to high school. Can you imagine a CHICAGO WINTER! i know kaiser knows what im talking about. But to be honest, im kind of proud of my brothers, the bus stop is right in front of our house we got kind of lucky, But they CHOOSE to walk home from school after football practice. And its not an easy walk either its about 4 miles and tons of hills. Im sure they stop and get a meal, but im happy that they choose to walk.
And lets see them even attempt to smart off to my mom or dad... HEH HE HE HE id pay good money to see what would happen, let alone one of them come home with a police officer.
Yet some how i still cant manage to get them to clean their rooms?
Yep, my neighborhood is the same. If I just happened to live in the house where all the cars congregate, I'd be pissed that they were killing my grass by parking on it.
My neighbor takes the cake.....he comes home and turns in the driveway, backs back out, pulls up to the mailbox to retrieve the mail, backs up, turns back in the driveway goes 50 feet and parks. This happens every day no matter what the weather is. Funny thing is, he lifts and runs pretty regularly.
Although I have no kids of my own, I feel that they learn some things by example. Some parents are setting a bad example in my opinion. Maybe it because the kids won't put down the Gameboy long enough to walk there.
__________________
Those that can't do teach. Those that can't teach consult. Deserve aka Gabe
'8 replies before the gutter! Good job Clubhouse!!!!!' Ninjabookey
Rest and relaxation can be a powerful “nothing” to propel us to greater achievements. Mahler
Stop listening to your wiener. He may want to go for a swim, but you haven't checked if the waters are shark infested yet. Ninjabookey
Of course they are, just as we were. These same kids will be sitting around one day telling their kids how hard it was to have to sit in mom's car waiting for the bus when their kids are complaining about having to log on the computer for school and why isn't their monitor as big as little Johnnies down the street.
We all want better for our kids than what we had. That is the point. Now as far as respect for adults and the quality of the education our children are getting, that's a whole other thread.
__________________
***
Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
We try to walk or ride bikes to school when we can. It's gonna get cold soon and I will probably drive him to school when I go to work, but we try and do what we can.
My son's friends mom bought her 2 kids, 6 and 9, cell phones. So she could call them at school to tell them she is on her way to get them. She doesn't want them to worry about where mom is if she is going to be a few minutes late. Let the 2 brothers play on the play structure while they wait for you.
This weekend the family got into a discussion about when we should let the kids walk to school themselves. I said I was doing it when I was 6 and everyone said that things have changed. They really haven't, we just hear about them more. I am thinking about letting my son walk himself to school in the spring, or see if he will walk to a friends down the street and then they walk together. The school is only 3-4 blocks away from us.
A six year old with a cell phone is insane. How are kids going to learn survival skills if we don't let them learn them in even the controled envronments like school.
__________________
Past performance is not indicative of future success.
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Well...personally...just for safety issues, I think 6 is a little young to walk a distance. But not just a few houses. Now when they are in college like in the story I saw...that's f-ing ridiculous. I feel sorry for their wives when these kids end up getting married and expect their wives to do every damn thing for them. (Did I just say "these kids"..ugh..I'm getting old).
We live in a transitional neighborhood with a busy street to cross so my kids will not be walking to school anytime soon.
What I hate about parenting today: kids with no chores, expensive clothes, sleeping with your kids, and kids with activities every night.
An embarrassing thing that I can't get my kids to do but they should: SHUT UP. No amount of anything can get Julian to be quiet if we are needing him to be seen and not heard. He has a very healthy self-esteem.
Oops..I used the wrong term...helicopter mom. I'm sure..or at least I hope..she is considered to be an extreme case. And the kids think of her as a secretary..nice.
Justin helps with the dishes, helps with laundry, cleans up after himself, and he actually likes it. Of course, the novelty of it will wear off eventually, but that doesn't mean I'll take over and do everything. Sorry honey, but when you are in college, I think it's time to grow up.
I have a pet peeve, too, and I think it reflects the state of our youth: while walking down the sidewalk or in a store, etc. little kids don't move out of the way of adults! I don't mean a little three-year-old who barely has any depth perception. I'm talking 6-12 years old, walking wide of their parents, not BUDGING for anyone. Women, the elderly, whoever, they all have to walk wide of the kids! I specifically remember my parents grabbing my hand and pulling me to the side and whispering, "You need to stay near me, and let the adults pass!" on many occasion!
Of course, I grew up in the south. If I answered one of my friend's parents, it would include "sir" or "ma'am" at the end. My parents, being from the north, never required that, but I got usd to it at school, etc. It's been ten years since I lived down there, so I don't know what the kids are like now, but kids around here sure as hell don't give a damn!
My mom was a very nurturing and loving mother who always took care of me(i never had any chores to do, including washing dishes, laundry, ect.) i usually got anything i wanted. (my friends said my parents spoiled me too much)with that said, im not sure if im the exception or anything but, as soon as i hit college and was completely on my own i adapted rather easily. Unlike my other roomates who had strict parents, i was the only person in my house to clean my own dishes(right after being used). Among other things i kept my room clean, did my own laundry, prepared and ate 9 meals a day(on workout days), did my own grocery shopping, went to class and did my school work(currently have a 3.0 GPA, should be higher, in my third year) all without my mom there to hold my hand. i also dont take advantage of my moms generosity(sp?) and rarely let her give me any money for anything other than food.
basically, i think, that despite what you guys all are describing as horrible parenting and stuff(most of the same stuff my mom did),...i turned out alright.
lol
and most of that stuff goes for my older sister too, who was the first to go to college in our family(leading the way for me), and now has a Masters from Harvard.
sorry for the long, nonsensical(i think thats a new word), jibber jabber.
lol
PS i would like to nominate my mom for best Mother EVER!
She is seriously the most supportive and loving mother.
Originally posted by FlyinM: Word Rock! I still use the 'ma'am' and 'sir' myself. I also find that some people are actually uncomfortable with that....Go figure.
I do that as well. It's a proper sign of respect. I teach my son the same thing. There is a time and place for it and he will know the differences.
__________________
Past performance is not indicative of future success.
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
We live in a transitional neighborhood with a busy street to cross so my kids will not be walking to school anytime soon.
What I hate about parenting today: kids with no chores, expensive clothes, sleeping with your kids, and kids with activities every night.
An embarrassing thing that I can't get my kids to do but they should: SHUT UP. No amount of anything can get Julian to be quiet if we are needing him to be seen and not heard. He has a very healthy self-esteem.
We will only let Brendan do 1 or 2 activities a season. So right now he has hockey and that is it. It use to be swimming and soccer or gymnastics.
Originally posted by JavaJunkie: your daughter is just too cute red!! [img]smile.gif[/img]
Thanks, JJ! I'll admit, when it's 11:00pm and she flashes me that smile when she's shining my shoes, I almost let her off the hook on washing the windows. But the feeling passes.
Seriously, though -- it's amazing what kids can do if parents just give them the chance. And the shiny shoes are a nice bonus, too, of course.
__________________ Megaloi -- My Blog
"Every society honors its live conformists and its dead troublemakers."
- Mignon McLaughlin
Originally posted by TrainingGirl: I will add a little more to this. I was watching some show over the weekend..possibly Dateline or 20/20? They were talking about "Satellite moms". There was a mother on there, who had 2 boys in college. She keeps in contact with them at all times via computer and phone. She calls to make sure they are in class at the right time. She reads all of their term papers before they hand them in. She drives to school and does their laundry, cleans their place and transfers money into their accounts when she sees their bank accounts become low. These kids are in COLLEGE!!! Another mom called her daughter 4 times in a row every morning to wake her up so she can get ready for class. Ever hear of an alarm clock? What the hell are these kids gonna do when mommy's not there to do everything for them. Which she shouldn't even be doing at that point in their lives. I got a job when I was 16, saved my money, bought a car, bought my own clothes, woke myself in the morning to get to school and work. Ugh!!
I thought the sign of success as a parent was that you end up with successful, respectful, INDEPENDENT adults. How can that mother see herself as a success if her adult children are stll acting like .... well, children?? Boggles the mind.
__________________
"Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right." - Henry Ford
"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss
"Life is no brief candle to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." - George Bernard Shaw
At first I thought this was a rhetorical question. Yes they are spoiled, just as we were spoiled by our parents standards. Those of us who are worried will try to stave off the influence of those who think that children "need" all these things and activities. I'll admit, my daughter lives a much better lifestyle than I did. And a lot of that has to do with the spoiling of her grandmother, an option I never had. Hopefully she'll turn out okay cause I won't be doing her laundry much longer.
__________________
The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'.
"When they get married, I'm not going to be the most important person there, and I know that," she said. "You go through a period of withdrawal, and then hopefully, you get to be best friends with their wife. And you have a good relationship, and then she'll call you and tell you what he's doing."
__________________
"When he was six, he believed that the moon overhead followed him. By nine, he deciphered the illusion, trading magic for fact, no trade-backs. So this is what it's like to be an adult? If he only knew now what he knew then."
Linear Mode
