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I am going to point out that this article is making an emotional case to sell a book. We don't know from the anecdotal evidence of a 15min parent child interac

I am going to point out that this article is making an emotional case to sell a book. We don't know from the anecdotal evidence of a 15min parent child interaction what that Dad had been going through. Perhaps his wife had just died? An example I have is that I know that my children will attempt to use those around me to manipulate me, the simple looking innocent when asking for a treat when they have already been promised something else. In front of others this places peer pressure on me, its not something that I bow to since its bad on me and my children. However from the outside it might look like I'm being mean. This article tried to play on my emotions for going though what every parent goes through. The best parenting advice I could give would be that you should treat your children as Mini-me's. Do what's best for them as if they were you. Following that is all you'd ever need.

chrisvineup 13y ago
First off you say this was an emotional case to sell a book, you then use an emotional case to justify the Dads actions. "Perhaps his wife had just died?" A child's early development is MASSIVELY different to that of an adult, the way they are treated at a young age acts as a template for their future relationships, habits and personality. You cannot treat a child as if they were an adults or versions of yourself, children are continually learning how to deal with new feelings and emotions, they struggle to concentrate sometimes and are almost always aloof. Yes children learn to manipulate, but you are the adult, deal with it, ignore their requests, remind them of your earlier conversations... Children become a reflection of their caretakers emotions, you treat them like shit, they will argue with you more and the cycle continues...