I'm Not A Parent, But I Was A Child (ideas, parents, children)
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Ya know, I've read quite a few responses regarding the raising and discipline of children. Probably the one phrase that makes me skip over an entire post is "Well, I don't have any children, but I was a child and therefore have just as much insight into this".
How can I say this nicely?? NO YOU DON'T!!!
If you make the absolute best tasting and most beautiful Big Mac, it doesn't give you any idea how to run McDonald's.
Parenting requires experience by parenting, nothing else. You can take advice and read a library of books and when the rubber hits the road you won't be any "better" of a parent.
Do you know why? Because your family is specific to you. Outside circumstances, situations, emotions and family dynamics are yours and yours alone.
I know you can tell me how bad your parents sucked, and what you would've done. But you have no clue if your idea was correct either.
So please spare me the sanctimonious garbage and do your best to improve your time here on earth.
In fact, I'll take it a step farther, and say that I tend to tune out advice from people who only have one child.
Parents of one child often don't realize that what worked for their only won't necessarily work for other people's kids (and probably wouldn't have worked for their second, either). When you have two or more kids, you really grasp that they are all different and that you did not make your child the way s/he is solely by your parenting.
I guess good ideas can come from anywhere. I know that my experience as my mother's child certainly influenced my decisions. I am skeptical of grown people who complain about their parents based on what they liked and did not like. It demonstrates a lack of understanding growth. But I will process ideas that come from anywhere and make a determination based on the idea.
Ya know, I've read quite a few responses regarding the raising and discipline of children. Probably the one phrase that makes me skip over an entire post is "Well, I don't have any children, but I was a child and therefore have just as much insight into this".
How can I say this nicely?? NO YOU DON'T!!!
If you make the absolute best tasting and most beautiful Big Mac, it doesn't give you any idea how to run McDonald's.
Parenting requires experience by parenting, nothing else. You can take advice and read a library of books and when the rubber hits the road you won't be any "better" of a parent.
Do you know why? Because your family is specific to you. Outside circumstances, situations, emotions and family dynamics are yours and yours alone.
I know you can tell me how bad your parents sucked, and what you would've done. But you have no clue if your idea was correct either.
So please spare me the sanctimonious garbage and do your best to improve your time here on earth.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Please remember this sentiment when you go visit your child's school/teacher.
"I am not a teacher, but I was a student once..."
"I taught my child to read, therefore I know how all learning styles work..."
"I have always been able to manage my two kids, so this is what I think you should with an entire classroom full of kids..."
I guess good ideas can come from anywhere. I know that my experience as my mother's child certainly influenced my decisions. I am skeptical of grown people who complain about their parents based on what they liked and did not like. It demonstrates a lack of understanding growth. But I will process ideas that come from anywhere and make a determination based on the idea.
By far the best response in the pack.
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