3 Things You Should Never Do for Your Kids

I would go a little further, and suggest that half of what you say to a child should be questions. Get them thinking! Votes: -1

Infuriating. I clicked through to page 3 and had yet to see "thing one" yet had already endured two pop-up ads and countless others embedded in the margins. I can't speak to the content of the article, but this site is crap. Votes: +5

7 pages to tell us 3 things? We get it, you just want us to click and click and click so that you can claim more views to your advertisers. It's annoying. I won't be back. Votes: +5

How about not raising your kids Jehovah's Witness? That's a big one... unless you want them to hate you with a burning pa*sion for the rest of their sorrowful, disappointing, tormented lives... Votes: -4

When I read an article I look for the main points. I do not have the luxury of scanning 10 pages to find three nuggets. Is this writer paid by the word or so. Next time I would not even consider visiting this website.
Good short articles with quick points is what we need. We do not have the luxury of taking time to read each and every word. I did not find that with any article I reviewed at your website. TOO LONG. Votes: +4

I was surprised about the statistic given about the number of adult children living at home as a reason children aren't being raised to be independent. I had to live at home after graduating college because I couldn't afford to live on my own. I would think that the economy plays a larger role in that stat than how kids were raised. In fact, with the way the economy is going, I imagine that percentage will increase rather than decrease for a long while. The other side to that is historically, families with many generations lived together in one dwelling. It's been a few decades with the change of families living apart, but it seems that going back to that makes sense for the younger generations struggling to find work and affordable housing. Votes: +1

I pride myself on not being a helicopter parent. However....never say never! When my youngest was sick with a chronic illness, yes I had to help/do some of her homework. My daughter is back in high school, and the only homework I help her on are the projects that she has to color or cut because she has joint pain in her hands. She is a GT/magnet student and I don't have a problem helping, because I know she has a medical condition. Votes: +0

When you child admits to doing something wrong, first, and foremost, thank him/her for being honest. Votes: +2

I disagree with your last one there. I see what you're going for, but you're giving contradictory advice. Let them choose their friends, but don't. At a certain age, they need aalll that responsiblity. But, they also need to told WHY, and rationale behind why this person is good and that person isn't. More importantly, the child needs to be heard and understood on their own decisions. What may seem like a bad friend on the outside could have a good heart, a vice versa. When I was 17, I flipped script and became "goth", and my best friend was "goth". But my mother judged him and then me so harshly for it. She just looked at the clothes and eyeliner and a*sumed we were up to no good. Not the case at all!!! I was the same sweet girl, I just *looked* different, and I found out that all the preaching I was taught about not judging people flew out the window in a heartbeat. Meanwhile, my brother stayed the same, still hanging out with his friends from Boy Scouts, and because of what that stands for, the whole lot of them were never worried about by their parents. But they were the ones people should have paid attention to, they went out drinking and smoking pot. So yeah, I think you need to explain a whole lot more about that last guideline. Please and thank you :) Votes: +2

Exactly what does the acronym "L.I.F.E." stand for? I could not continue reading past this point, because it seemed like I was not in on some insider secret this was obviously referring to. Votes: +2

As with colourmetwice, I am conflicted about your last point as well. My son is in 4th grade and one of his friends said he would not vote for Pres. Obama because he doesn't like black people. I have a real problem with that reasoning. I don't have a problem if you disagree with the President, but to chalk up issues due to his skin color is ignorant. Votes: +0

"written by sorry, April 11, 2012 03:57 pm: I am not reading a 7 page article 3 paragraphs at a time and click on to more ads each time."

amen. what a pain. there is an easier way, however - choose the "print" button - that will display a printable page with most of the article. Don't even need to actually print it out. Spoiler alert: the three things are Homework, Speaking For Them, and Choose Their Friends (none of which are a problem in our house).

On the other hand, this site doesn't require membership in a social network such as Facebook (yet) to post comments, so kudos to them for that, anyway. Votes: +1

The way I got my kid to stop screaming because he wanted somethings is while shopping one day he started asking for different things so I said ok but I told him that was all he was getting that day. He wanted something else and started screaming. I said nothing but started putting everything in the basket back on the shelves where we got it. He kept asking "Mommy, what are you doing? I said nothing and when the basket was empty we walked out of the store and I said when you are ready to not scream in the store maybe you will get something but until then you can't have anything. When we went to the store a week later he started to whine and I told him ok you can't have anything this time either. He got really quiet and he never screamed in the store for anything ever again. Votes: +0

I taught my child to "shop with me. eg smell the lettuce for a fresh one
pick out a certain bread by reading what it says and finally I let her cut out coupons before we went to the store...and if it was something we could use I gave her the value of the coupon when we got home. She learned about the value of money and sales on certain problems. It was a fun time and I never had a problem shopping with her! Votes: +0

Sure, this happens YET, instead of ONLY asking Child Psychologists look into History & the Global World because those Statistics of Adult-Kids moving home IS FAR BIGGER and more COMPLICATED than helicopter parenting!!! This IS NOT the damn Baby Boom Generation, there ARE NOT American Jobs for ALL of US who were told 2 finish College and you'll be set, let ALONE the fact students now pay more in loans than ANY previous generation, Incomes stopped rising w/ it tho Inflation kept on. That's not touching the surface of Taxes & Capital Gains Rates as if a Day Trader has the God GIVEN RIGHT TO EARN 400 TIMES what ANYONE ELSE IN THIS COUNTRY CAN MAKE!!!! Votes: +0

I agree with the article completely. A parents job is to raise productive, independent adults. I let my children be children, but I also instilled independence; hey used an alarm clock to get up in the morningk, They were allowed to forget an a*signment or backpack once a year that I would go back home and bring to them, only once ( I only had to go back for one child, one time); My older teenagers made the calls to the DPS to find the times they could get their license, get their school schedules, pay their car insurance, etc. I have been critized many times for not singing my teenager awake, or washing their clothes and putting them up, even fixing their dinner plate, but I wouldn't have done it different. My oldest children are grown now and fully capable of paying their bills, getting to work on time, making dr. appointments. My youngest has a few years left at home still, but he's a great kid and does his chores and still is my sweet little boy, only more mature and responsible than others. Votes: +0

It is hard to admit when you realize that you are a semi-helicopter parent. My kids go to a Montessori school so I have begun to see the critical importance of independence. It is hard to let go sometimes and let them do things for themselves, because it simply TAKES LONGER. But after 4 years sticking to this method I can really see the benefits and remind myself, in the scheme of things the harder it is now, the better it is for them later.

http://www.longestdays.com Votes: -1

Yes,it's good but u have to watch ur baby know whet she or he dislike and u have to know the next step u will take Votes: +9

all of them, would be my choice Votes: +0

We would also like to add never answer their questions without first getting them to think the question through and come up with an answer, this teaches them to think for themselves. If they can’t come up with an answer on their own, when appropriate, show them how to find the answer with research, exploration or testing. If we just told them how to get through the maze they wouldn’t get to experience it and learn from it themselves. Let kids learn by doing, experiencing, playing – not by telling, if you have the choice.

www.PlaSmartToys.com | www.Perplexus.net
@PlaSmart | @Perplexus1 | @PlasmaRide
Facebook: /PlaSmart /PlaSmartPerplexus /PlasmaRide Votes: +0

I appreciate all of the points in this article, however I would go one step further when dealing with a fellow student at school or the playground. It would be much better to ask the child what ideas or what he/she would like to try to do to solve an issue with another child. What are some possibilities and then choose one that you can role play with them. After they try it - if it does not work try a different one or make a new list. Allowing the child to come up with possible solutions gives them ownership. Role playing it with them gives them confidence to give it a try. Success allows them to feel great about themselves.

http://balancedlifeskills.com Votes: +1

Too much ad time. Thus did NOT read Votes: +1

Dont tell them any of the wild and reckless things from your own youth, it only gives them ideas to try Votes: +0

Oh great! Someone new telling us to just let our kids run amok! Gimme a break. If kids were perfect we wouldn't have to be hypervigilant all the time. They are KIDS. They need guidance. Your article comes across as just let the kids run free with no supervision. Although I do agree that doing for them is no helping them you still need to be vigilant until you are sure they get it right. This is all we need since you can't discipline your own kids anymore to let them just do for themselves all the time. LAZY parenting is all I got out of this. Votes: -5

The one thing you should always do for your child, teach. Votes: +1

What a poorly written, watered-down article. bleh. Votes: +0

Hi, I would like to know if the article writer has children of their own. The answer will not affect my opinion of this article which I happen to agree with. Votes: +0

It's amazing, that a simple individuals comments gives us a glimpse of their own childhood behavior. Votes: +0

This story is absolutely nothing new spread across as many pages as possible so you see all the ads. There is nothing in here to make it worth your time or trouble to read it. If you need this kind of simple information as a parent please proceed to the closest doctor and have yourself spayed or neutered as appropriate as you really don't need to reproduce and pollute the human race any worse than it is. Votes: +1

Parenting is fun. Lots of drama. Who needs tv when you have 3,5 or 9 screaming lil bastards running amuk tearing everything up?
Votes: +0

perhaps the writer of this article could use some grammar tips from kids. The first sentence threw me a bit, but when i arrived at "does do", i gave up. Votes: +1

To those who keep saying "don't do their child's homework for them", try re-reading the article......this is #1!!!!! Votes: +1

Wow... did we really did 7 pages just to tell us those 3 simple things? Next time suspend the insipid prattle and get straight to the point. Votes: +2

1 Thing You Should Never Do To Your Website Visitors:

* break your one story into seven separate pages. Votes: +2

Wow- 3 little paragraphs of drivel, and I counted no less than 19 separate ads. Now here's a web page high on my list of favorites Votes: +3

The best thing you can do for your child is talk to them like adults. If you expect adult responses, you'll get them. This includes what they say, do, and how they act. It doesn't mean to expect them to be adults, it just means to set the bar at what you want from them.

Secondly, if there is something getting in the way our relationship with our kids such as a toy or game, the solution is simple...we take it away, suspend privilidges or get rid of it altogether.

Third, we teach that it is ok to express your opinion and even say no at times, but it is not ok to belittle, make fun of, or pick on each other. Afterwards, if mommy or daddy still says it needs to get done, that's what needs to happen.

Our kids are currently 6 and 8 years old. They make their bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, take their baths, brush their hair and teeth, read, and study and complete homework primarily on their own.

I think the huge deciding factor on how they turned out was our ability to talk to them starting at 18 onths old. To explain the reasons why we do things the way we do. This enabled them to not only follow the rules, but to comprehend and process information independently.

We still play with them and hug and love on them. We're not super strict parents, but we do make our boundaries and expectations clear with them. Most of all, we expect the same standards from ourselves when we interact with them.
Votes: +1

The list is too short. It should contain "make your kids do chores" even if you are a stay-home mom, or even if you have hired help that does lots of cleaning. It should also include "make your kids pay for some stuff out of their own pocket," regardless of what your income is. If you have a moderate income and can afford to pay for their cell phone, great, but intentionally tell them they have to pay for part of the bill each month. Not because you need their money. But because they've got to learn how to handle recurring monthly expenses. Votes: -1

1. don't tug on superman's cape
2. aim your tinkler into the wind
3. don't hide the cars that Harry Reid has placed around Nevada to insure his reelection...you know the ones with all of the lost ballots in them Votes: +0

One of the most valuable lessons I learned from my parents was the suggestion that I go out of my way to befriend someone who is different: a cla*smate of another ethnic group or color.

This practice gave me an early insight into discrimination, and how children practicing it are often simply mimicking their parents' attitudes, which they can have an opportunity to learn have been unfounded, by socializing with 'the others' at an early age... as I did.

G.G. - LegalMystery.com Votes: +1

Strongly disagree with the third one -- don't choose their friends. Has the author raised a child to adulthood yet? My guess would be no from this suggestion. As a responsible parent, we should be VERY involved in the friends our kids hand out with. I have personal experience from both my brother, who chose unwisely and is still paying the price for the direction his life took from that moment forward, to my own daughter, same saga. Votes: +1

Wow! What a great article. Frome time to time, as parents we need to be reminded of what our children need. Homework, never. I have not done it for them, not even once, but speak for them and choose their friends, I failed :) Votes: +0

Have you ever heard of using non-sexist language? Every single pronoun in your piece is male: "he, his, him." This is considered very bad form these days to consistently refer to the third person as male--this isn't the 19th century. Try using some balanced language, alternating between female and male pronouns, or use "him or her," "hers or his," or try writing an entire piece with "she, hers, and her" just to stretch your and your readers' minds a bit that female persons, children in this case, actually exist in the world. Votes: +1

way too long-winded and repetitive Votes: +1

Your formatting is terrible--you should allow for a single page. And it was a challenge to find the comment box.

I get high marks as a mom on all 3, but gritting my teeth with a friend that I couldn't stand was hard. Finally, he came to me and asked if were okay if he wasn't friends with Shawn anymore. After hearing his reasons, I simply said yes, buy inside I was dancing Gangnam Style!

Today, my son is getting a PhD, a patent, and he hasn't lived at home since he was 17. Votes: +1

One thing you should never do for your readers: Title something like "three things you should never do for you children," and then spend paragraphs getting to them. Votes: +2

NEVER split your children's articles into seven short pages. It'll give them the impression they've generated content when they really haven't. Oh, and never never never make a "top 3" list and then begin the actual list on page four, after a bunch of pointless filler. Votes: +1

7 pages and 5000 advertisements. I found a similar article on the same three "never's" on
the one page. Votes: +0

Three things professionals should never do:

1) Don't give "homework" requiring technology, materials or equipment not in the home
2) Don't expect our children to do your projects beyond our financial means
3) Don't tell us how to parent, we won't tell you how to teach courses Votes: +2

When I see a "show it all on one page" link, I'll click it. Until then, I'm not convinced it's worth reading, considering it's at least seven artificially short pages. Votes: +1

Young adults don't generally live at home because they're lazy, they live at home because they can't find a decent job! My parents taught me andmy siblings to work from the time we were very young, in my case that was at age 7. You wanted something, you worked for it! I went to college for computer science and information systems, have 2 technical certifications as well, yet I'm stuck at home unemployed! To say that my parents didn't teach me to be self reliant or independent is ridiculous. I paid for my first car, my clothes, my food, my first home, which by the way is now gone since theres no where to work anymore. Our parents take us back in because otherwise we would be homeless because there is no work, and when there is we get paid nothing! I went to college and worked to death, sometimes 100 hours a week or more! In fact, I worked an average of 100 hours a week for thelast 6 months to develop a website to hopefully break the cycle of unemployment. But I'm lazy? Again, ridiculous. Yeah, we all go to college so we can end up homeless and living back at home with no job! You're an idiot for writing this ridiculous article. You haven't got a clue! Votes: +2

I would semi-agree with #3. You should never force friendship on your child, but there are times when you need to step in and stop your child hanging out with some. I've only done that once, but I have never regretted it. (The other kid had a pellet gun and was shooting at the neighbor's dog. When I told the parents they didn't see what the problem was. "Pellet guns don't hurt anybody." Don't get me wrong; I'm not against guns at all, but I'm very much a proponent of gun SAFETY, and it was obvious this family didn't have any sense of that.) Votes: -1

Never, "give yer kids anything, but praise when they deserve it. Otherwise. Make them earn everything. It will not kill 'em ! Votes: +1

Although I agree with the intention of the three nevers, I disagree with the absolute attitude of the never. I have done each of the three on rare occasions when due-dates have coincided disproportionately while my kids have paced their work out appropriately and technology malfunctions have presented unmanageable hurdles in their otherwise manageable paths. We have two basic rules in our home, one, unrelated to topic at hand, 'NO ELECTRONICS ON CONCRETE' and two, 'if grades slip below predetermined standard, then mom micro-manages' starting with bedtime, screen time, and social limitations.

Clarity and consistency makes our rules very effective. Since I stopped negotiating with my kids, their grades have consistently stayed between 3.7 to 4.0. Our minimum is 3.5. You do have to know your kids, but shoot for a high target and set a high minimum with success nets in place. I have great respect for my kids as individuals, but this rule, basically our only rule, was non-negotiable and will not be up for future debate. My kids know to ask homework related questions up front and save the sob stories after grades are posted. They also know if I ever get a phone call from school, I am siding with the teacher and they will default into my consequences in addition to any served at school. My kids also know that Dad is a key architect of the plan and Mom is the maintenance manager. Votes: -1

Too many ads on these pages. Who can read any of this without going bonkers? Votes: +3

I also disagree with the 3rd one like many other commenters. Friends have a lot influence on your children's lives. Most kids get in trouble because of their friends. It is called peer pressure. You want your children to hang out with kids who are polite, responsible, motivated and respectful. You are who you hang out with. I give the same advice to grown ups. Votes: +0

I gathered from a few of the comments what some of the content might be, but I didn't get to read the article. Having to relaid the next page for every 2 paragraphs is ludicrous and a waste of time. One might argue that it took
longer for me to reply with a comment than it would be to read the article. One would be wrong. By the time I finish this reply, I would still not have gotten to the very first of the 3 things. Mydailymoment needs to rethink the format Votes: +4

Could you make reading this article any more difficult???...between the advertisements, numerous pages and the page moving on it's own every 10 seconds, I never did finish reading it... Votes: +3

My comment is about the page. WAY too busy. I don't even want to stay and read it. More than seven pages when there can be 2. Please rethink the format. Votes: +0

rambling,rambling,rambling-tell us something or don't write at all Votes: +1

I'm 27 and everytime I go to my Mom's house for the holidays, she is the ultimate helicopter-parent. Always asking if she can get me a pillow/food/etc, and trying to doing my dishes (because I sit near them to make sure she doesn't do them when I'm not looking) when I literally just made something and am sitting down to eat it. I've basically taken care of myself since I was 15 and raised my sister since she was 12 when our parents split. Every time I go there she does this and every time I tell her I prefer to do things on my own, but nothing changes. It's a huge source of frustration because she thinks I'm ungrateful and I think she doesn't realize I'm an adult. Learning to take care of myself was hard enough in college because I never had chores/curfew/any rules growing up, and I don't blame anyone for that. I just want to not be treated like I'm 14 when I'm in that house. Votes: +0

This article is very superficial. What's really happened is that the majority of baby-boomer parents wanted to be "friends" with their children and not actual PARENTS because that means being unpopular. The article could be shortened to: "The one thing you should never do with your child". Answer? NEVER be their friend......if you don't parent them through into their young adulthood....you're not a friend, but rather a self-absorbed, narcissistic, insecure burden on society - raising DEPENDENT creatures rather than autonomous, self-reliant, secure adults. Votes: +1

In extreme cases, with extreme and unreasonable teachers, I have actually done homework for my kids. If the homework seems like nothing more than busy work, and my child has a really good grasp on the subject, I have no problem with sending htem out to play or sending them to bed and finishing the a*signment. It is my belief that homework should be viewed as a tool - if I see that it's a tool being misused, or that it will have ZERO positive effect, I am all for giving your child a little nudge. Of course this is after having conversations with the teachers first - if they don't budge, I will.
http://www.slowfamilyliving.com Votes: -2

Seriously, 7 pages to click through for a 3 point article? Stop wasting my time. Votes: +6

7 pages? Seriously. Instead of reading the article like I came to do I will be closing this stupid page and moving on. 3 pages is annoying. 7 pages is just freaking ridiculous. Also... Yes I fell that point was worth posting about without even reading the article. Votes: +5

"you're the gatekeeper of your child's affairs"

#4 Don't let your kid have affairs. Votes: +0

Imagine my surprise when I realized that the same feelings can hit fathers too! Votes: +1

Dr. Borba was obviously never a parent. Wonder what his/her doctorate is in anyway?? Votes: +1

Can you make an effort next time to produce a gender neutral article? Unless this article is about raising little boys (it's not), it really should not be "he", "his", etc. Votes: +1

So what were the three things? This article gives one general thing -- "don't be a helicopter parent". Duh.
Votes: +1

Hate these "3 things you should never do" articles that are sliced up into 10 pages. Just tell me the 3 f**king things you idiots. Votes: +1

I agree with most of what was said here. Helping your child when they are having a homework problem is one thing as long as you not doing the a*signment for them. I know some parents that ddi this, thinking it will help their kids get into better schools later, but at some point that's going to back fire.

I never spoke for my child if someone was asking them a direct question.

Picking friends - as parents, you know very little about the friends your kids hangout with - I a*suming those that do - base it on the friends parents.

I always asked where my kids would be and never got into a situation where I had to tell them to avoid certain friends. If you teach your kids to do the right thing - they will make those choices for themselves. Both my son and daugther stopped hanging out with some friends from their younger days as they moved into high school and when I later asked why - I found out that it was because those kids started drinking or taking drugs. So they sought out new friends that didn't. I would have never thoght that some of those friends were into those things - your kids are a lot closer to that sitaution. Votes: +0

why is it only HE,HIS, and HIM........isn't there a SHE or HER in the factor. Makes us guys look stupid! FIX IT SEXIST PRICK! Votes: -2

This is the most annoying, ad-filled website I've ever been on. My reading was interrupted by pop-ups over and over and the ads on both sides ofthe article full of pictures of people's bulging stomachs were horrible. This site is nothing but an excuse to make money from ads. I'll never visit it again. Votes: +2

Seriously? Votes: +0

How about this to simplify what should have been a short article:

Don't do anything for your kid that they can (and should) do for themselves. Votes: +1

"Don't choose their friends"? This seems like very bad advice. While it's true that you can't force your kids to be friends with who you want, you can and certainly should, guide them to the right friends. Friends make too big of a difference in a kids life to leave it all up to chance and there is plenty you can do without forcing the issue. Like encouraging your child to invite over the "good" friends and not the "bad" ones, or talking to your child about the "friend" who keeps putting her down and excluding her, maybe she shouldn't hang out with that friend? Or making friends with the parents of the nice kid she met on her soccer team. You may not be able to actually choose your kids friends, but you should certainly help her choose the right friends! Votes: +1

A ridiculous waste of time. If you can't figure these simple things out on your own, don't have kids. I am tired of bratty, indulged children who have no sense of self. Make your kids responsible and accountable, and start at a young age. Easy. Votes: +0

I agree with all 3 of the "Never Do's"...especially #3, which was extremely difficult for me when my son was younger. He was friends with this one boy, whom I wasn't too fond of. Not that this young man was a bad kid by any means, I just felt that he was NOT as good a friend to my son, as my son was to him. He was kind of a "fair weather friend" and as hard as it was, I NEVER told my son how I felt. I did however tell him often, that I was NOT always going to be there to choose his friends for him and he had to learn a person's character on his own.

Well my kid is now a 23 year old recent grad of The Ohio State University and I met a lot of his friends while I was there for graduation. Afterwards, I posted this on my Facebook page: "You know when your child goes away to college, you always worry about the people they may meet and their influences. I must admit that after meeting them, my son has made some "really cool friends!" Votes: +0

Very long article that could be summarized with 3 bullet points. I guess the idea is to generate as many advertising link hits as possible. Votes: +0

Also, you should avoid using gender bias pronouns when you write articles. ;P Votes: +1

I thought the article was good but leaves a parent hanging at the end about what to do about unsavory friends. I would like to add that if a child/adolescent starts hanging with unsuitable friends, I think the best thing to do is maintain structure and rules that will keep them safe. For instance maybe these negative friends are allowed to stay out later or don't get much supervision from their parents. You still should maintain the curfews or boundaries you've established for your child. They may get in trouble b/c these other friends don't respect their need to be in by a certain time. Your child needs to learn to say I have to get home now, and if their friends don't get that, your child learns that they're not real friends who hold their interests as important, and will drop those friends, or those friends won't want to hang around with your child b/c they don't want to abide by those limits or interruptions to their activities.
Or if your child asks to do an activity that you don't allow, then maintain those limits; or if it's something new, like going to a concert or event that they've never done before, then you be the one to transport them back and forth. If something more serious happens, for example, shoplifting, talk with your child to learn how they got caught up in that activity, how do they feel about it, and how they can avoid getting talked into it again. That, along with consequences such as being grounded (not forever!) and/or only being allowed shopping with you for a period of time, etc. Don't give a consequence out of anger, but out of thoughtful considered reasoning. The point is, your child needs to learn who and how to choose friends, not try to get away with hanging out with people who have been forbidden. If you forbid people, your child will get secretive and not turn to you if they need to discuss how to deal with a dilemma from that friendship. Only as a last resort should you actually forbid a friendship. Votes: +0

Yes, I see your point. But don't you think children should have time to play, have fun, and grow up before taking on all these responsibilities? Children have different sensitivites-some children need a little "helicoptering" to feel safe before they start taking the plunge to adulthood. If I want to go to the extreme and be ridiculous, children are going to work someday, make love someday, etc so should we start them off at 4, 5, and 6 with these activities? Sometimes, I think, children are pushed too early into certain actions that they are not ready for. Please let them have their childhood. Thanks for your patience.
Janice M. Votes: +0

I'm curious why "3 Things You Should Never Do for Your Kids" takes 7 pages to explain? Votes: +0

#3 seems to be the most controversial (probably because it is wrong). You should always choose your child's friends when they are very young. Most of us do this automatically by creating play opportunities and outings with other children whose parents we know and whose behavior we have observed. Along the way, the process should shift toward teaching them what it means to be a friend and how to choose their friends wisely. My wife did an incredibly good job of this, saving our 3 children much angst on their path to adulthood. Votes: +0

Never say never... be as flexible and intelligent with your children as you would be with your spouse or friend. Though there's things you wouldn't normally do... exceptions are a normal part of life. Votes: +0

"Never" is a pretty strong word here. Sometimes homework (especially for very young kids) is expected to be done, at least in part, by the parents. My preschooler was asked to write a journal entry about a guest stuffed animal that traveled to different kids' houses each weekend when it was our turn. Obviously none of the kids her age can read, let alone write yet. We were expected to do the writing. I guess I could consider that to be "our homework" rather than hers, but I kind of object to parents being given homework on their kids' behalf. As for speaking for kids, again necessary before the kids can speak for themselves (think infant/toddler). And picking their friends? Obviously when they're very little, you have a lot of control over who even gets into the friend-consideration set. Beyond that, choosing which acquaintances become "friends," I don't think parents have the power to decide, even if they want to. Votes: +0

"MAYBE,PREHAPS,DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP..THE ANSWER IS NO." "THAT'S A POOR ARGUEMENT. GO THINK OF A BETTER ONE AND THEN COME BACK" "WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE FOR LUNCH?" "WHEN I READ THE NEWSPAPER IT IS MY PLAYTIME" "WHY DO YOU THINK JOEY HIT MIKE?" "HEY KID, I CAN'T TELL IF YOUR COLD,TIRED OR HUNGRY. YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR SWEATER,CURL UP ON THE COUCH OR TELL ME YOUR HUNGRY" "WE DISCUSSED NO MONEY TO BUY STUFF BEFORE WE WENT INTO THE STORE. NOW YOU HAVE A CHOICE. YOU CAN PUT THE TOY BACK OR WALK HOME!" "IT IS A CHALLENG TO WRITE A GOOD COMPOSITION.HERE IS METHORD TO HELP. ON SEPERATE SLIPS OF PAPER WRITE DOWN ONE IDEA OR FACT.WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THAT PUT THEM IN ORDER OF..1ST GROUP THE BEGINNING..2ND GROUP THE MIDDLE AND 3RD GROUP YOUR CONCLUSION.THEN GO BACK AND PUT EACH GROUP IN ORDER. NOW COPY THIS ORDER AND YOU HAVE YOUR COMPOSITION.COME BACK AND READ IT TO ME, THAT WAY IF IT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT TO YOU, YOU CAN CORRECT IT." I'M JUST A MOTHER WHO WAS AWARDED A GROUP OF WONDERFUL CHILDREN FROM ANOTHER PLANET AND I MUST SHOW THEM THE 'ROPES' OF LIVING HERE!! Votes: +0

More demonizing and shaming of multigenerational households, even though they have been common all throughout history and other cultures, and can even be a sign of responsibility (adult children agreeing to help and care for their parents in old age instead of shoving them into a horrible old age home.) Votes: +0

I have no idea what the three things are and can hardly believe that an article that takes about 8 pages to present roughly 20 actual paragraphs gets read.

MyDailyMoment is apparently an advertising blast. Votes: +0

Another problem with parenting is perfectly shown in the photo accompanying this article: some kid with her arms folding glaring at her parents who are submissively sitting down. Didn't pictures back in the day used to show the opposite?? I don't know when or why the media (movies, TV shows and commercials) decided it would be funny or inconsequential to show kids being disrespectful, know-it-alls, magically 'smarter' than grown-ups with three times their experience, etc., but as could have been expected, the gullible portion of the parent population fell for it. I think it's sickening to even compose a photograph like the one shown here. Just what good does it do to train a child to feel that they have more control than they do, that they're more capable or experienced than they are, and that parents are nothing but bill payers who need to 'shut up'? Totally disgusting. Totally. Votes: +0