3 ms·
As a followup, it'd be interesting to know if any of the reviewers have raised kids.
by sanj 18y ago
As a followup, it'd be interesting to know if any of the reviewers have raised kids.
- jgrahamc 18y agoI have. This essay does not describe my approach to parenting, but I know parents like that. Made me wonder if PG's SO is expecting.
- pchristensen 18y agoI have a one month old and a 2.5yr old. Even before reading this, I've caught myself telling lies (or hiding truths) with my older kid. We were watching a show about baboons on Animal Planet and the dominant male baboon killed and ate a baby impala (more graphically than I expected them to show). I was going to change the channel, but I asked myself "Why is it bad if my kid knows that some animals eat other animals?" I left it on and talked to her about how some animals get food. I also told her that it's different with people, because we've more or less agreed to let every person live. Then I was going to change the channel again when there was a (again, more graphic than I expected) fight, I left it on and told her that animals fight, but it's not OK for people to fight. Something like "Animals fight, people hug". So I guess I picked my lies, but I was conscious of it. My guiding principle is that I will 1) instruct my kids on correct and appropriate behavior 2) let them know that people have different expectations and not everyone behaves as well as I expect them to. PS My wife was pissed that I let her watch the baboons killing and fighting :)
- yters 18y agoI think it is a sort of lie to tell someone the truth in a context they can't handle appropriately. So, I don't see anything wrong with what you are doing. It'd be wrong if you never stopped telling her such things.