In a message dated 5/17/02 12:30:09 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< I had to weigh in on this. I'm a fairly liberal person and love my children past what is reasonable, but I run a pretty tight ship around here. I may have said this before, but when my kids were indulged darlings in our yuppie household (we even added on a 'toy room' - now I would just get rid of some of the toys) there were tantrums and pouts and bad grades and even worse behavior in public. No one was happy - I kept using toys as a reward, tv time as a reward food as a reward, or bribes to get stuff done. . . Now we have a lot less of everything - time, money, tv is gone with a bunch of other 'entertainment stuff' and treats, but we are so much happier. My kids have developed some life skills in caring for themselves and their environment, a strong work ethic which shows up in school, personal resilience when their every little whim is not gratified and close relationships with each other because they've learned to depend on each other and on themselves. Hang in there, it's so worth it. The early days when life began to turn around here were pretty rocky, but it got easier as they began to 'get' it. Just keep a sense of humor and remember that the first job of parenting is to produce self suficient adults capable of finding happiness. blessings, rebecca >> rebecca - Amen to all of that! Your household sounds quite a bit like mine - both the before and the after... and your description ofyour kids sounds alot like mine. My children are the treasures of my life, and I too am fairly liberal, but I no longer *spoil* them with "things" the way I used to. I think some friends feel I'm quite tough to run things the way I do, but it works. They help around the house (without complaining), get good grades, are active in sports, get along with everyone, take care of me and each other and they are fairly happy. During a recent car ride, my younger son (10) mentioned a friend who is spoiled with "stuff" - 3 wheelers, big house, etc. and I replied that while we don't have as many things as some people, no one is more spoiled with love, time & attention than he is... he smiled and agreed and blew me a kiss. I think he know's what is really important. Diane *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Journey from clutter List Website http://journeyfromclutter.com Members Only Page http://journeyfromclutter.com/MembersOnly/MembersArea.htm Unsubscribe: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word 'unsubscribe' in the 'Subject:' field to be removed from the main list. To Unsubscribe from the Digest version of the list send the unsubscribe message to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
