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I wish parents would solve the general problem: your kids will $EXPERIENCE_LIFE, therefore educate/encourage/sometimes-protect/whatever as appropriate instead o

I wish parents would solve the general problem: your kids will $EXPERIENCE_LIFE, therefore educate/encourage/sometimes-protect/whatever as appropriate instead of defaulting to “hell no” and “protect kids from everything in existence” (as parents today seem to do). Excess time is devoted to certain hot topics such as porn/sex and it’s ridiculous, especially when it means not spending any time at all on dozens of other things that are also important for children. “Gee, little Jimmy is an absolute terror and doesn’t even know how to make himself a sandwich but at least he hasn’t seen any porn! (And he still has.)” And to be blunt, parents need to stop being children. You’re supposed to be helping a child to become an adult, and if all we’re worried about is how much trouble the parent is having then what is happening to the child?

csense 9y ago
I think one of the causes of poor parenting is that families are more spread out, people are more isolated in general, and you have fewer children. Back in the day when people had 3, 4, 5 kids, a lot of folks would remember younger siblings. If most of your parents' siblings all lived in the same town, you'd have lots of younger cousins, and see them often. If you went to church and were active in the community, you'd get to know a lot of parents and children all over town. All this exposure to your family's kids, other people's kids and other people's parenting styles would give people a basic education in what to do, and what not to do, by example. Personally, I've reached my current age without ever having to babysit or change a diaper. I don't know a thing about the practicalities of parenting. A lot of people are probably in the same boat. So it makes sense that some parents would be at a total loss and make poor decisions.
- EADGBE 9y ago
  Having more children just gives higher probability to those children experiencing things without supervision or narrative (The concept of being outnumbered - which is TOTALLY a real thing and something you don't even really consider going from 2 to 3+ children). I think that has more sway in this than isolation and familial sprawl. > Personally, I've reached my current age without ever having to babysit or change a diaper. Congrats. > I don't know a thing about the practicalities of parenting. A lot of people are probably in the same boat. Don't worry, it's a learned skill. No matter what bookstores tell you, it doesn't come with a manual.
EADGBE 9y ago
Didn't downvote; I honestly don't see much wrong with what you said. But we're talking about hot topics here like parenting, so I guess I get it. > And to be blunt, parents need to stop being children. You’re supposed to be helping a child to become an adult... This is a huge takeaway and something that should be bolded.

csense 9y ago

I think one of the causes of poor parenting is that families are more spread out, people are more isolated in general, and you have fewer children. Back in the day when people had 3, 4, 5 kids, a lot of folks would remember younger siblings. If most of your parents' siblings all lived in the same town, you'd have lots of younger cousins, and see them often. If you went to church and were active in the community, you'd get to know a lot of parents and children all over town. All this exposure to your family's kids, other people's kids and other people's parenting styles would give people a basic education in what to do, and what not to do, by example. Personally, I've reached my current age without ever having to babysit or change a diaper. I don't know a thing about the practicalities of parenting. A lot of people are probably in the same boat. So it makes sense that some parents would be at a total loss and make poor decisions.

EADGBE 9y ago
Having more children just gives higher probability to those children experiencing things without supervision or narrative (The concept of being outnumbered - which is TOTALLY a real thing and something you don't even really consider going from 2 to 3+ children). I think that has more sway in this than isolation and familial sprawl. > Personally, I've reached my current age without ever having to babysit or change a diaper. Congrats. > I don't know a thing about the practicalities of parenting. A lot of people are probably in the same boat. Don't worry, it's a learned skill. No matter what bookstores tell you, it doesn't come with a manual.

EADGBE 9y ago

Didn't downvote; I honestly don't see much wrong with what you said. But we're talking about hot topics here like parenting, so I guess I get it. > And to be blunt, parents need to stop being children. You’re supposed to be helping a child to become an adult... This is a huge takeaway and something that should be bolded.