From: CREECH@LSTC2VM.stortek.com (Teresa Creech)
Subject: Re: Common Sense and Participation
Organization: StorageTek SW Engineering
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 20:29:01 GMT

In article <19930105101523SASTLS@mvs.sas.com>
Tamara Shaffer <SASTLS@mvs.sas.com> writes:
 
>>in article <208@dpfe.UUCP> David R Huddleston Sr announces:
>>
>>Come on people!!  After reading many posts here, it seem to me that the
>>only thing needed is common sense.  Corporal punishment??  Pick your
>>battles!!  Which shirt to wear, or what to eat doesn't matter. Using
>>drugs and alcohol does!
>>
>>I have been involved in EVERY activity each of my 3 children are in.  I
>>am a Scoutmaster, gymnastics judge, Band parent, School Parent, etc,
>>etc..  I have seen over the past 13 years, a major lack of concern by
>>the "professional" parents of today.  Send the kids to daycare,
>>latchkey, "let's go party - the kids will be fine", etc..  Then the
>>wonder why in the heck their kids get into trouble.
>>
>>Kids need alot of attention and love.  If you show them the love, and
>>give them a warm and secure home, most of the "problems" of today go
>>away.  I have had several children in Scouts, which were
>>"uncontrollable" in school and at home, but after a few meetings, they
>>quickly learned that I wouldn't put up with crap, and they were great
>>kids after that.  Everyone thought I'd worked a miracle, and all I did
>>was set the rules and show them I cared.
>>
>>As a parent, it is your JOB to do this, and if all you care about is a
>>new house and car, then don't have kids!!!!!
>>
>>
>>$
>>
>
>I think someone has had too much caffeine. :)
>
>TAMARA
>(Not that I disagree with his opinions, but a lot can be said for
> method of delivery when presenting one's opinions.)
 
Gee, let's bash the professional parents.  How unfair.  I am involved in
my kids lives - both at home and at school.  I also work full time.
It's tough, but we manage.  My kids are NOT out of control (we get lots
of complements about their behavior).  We party WITH the kids.  Sometimes
we get a sitter and go on a 'date'.  The kids get lots of love and attention.
I communicate with their teachers (all of them - school, daycare, and
instructors).  The kids love their daycare.  The kids have friends over.
They go to friends houses.  They play with us and they play alone.  In short,
my kids are normal.
 
I don't work in order to have a fancy new car and house (our car is 4 years
old and was only purchased because we had a 5 seater when we discovered that
kids #3 and 4 were going to arrive at approximately the same time.)  We live
in a 3 bedroom ranch house on 2 acres which cost a lot less than the homes
of a lot of families I know who have only one spouse working.  I work to
preserve my sanity (I consider that important), to save for retirement (do
you think that the government is gong to take care of you?), I work so my
husband can be home sometimes to parent the children, instead of workng
14 hour days in order to make enough to support the family.
 
I think that parents who have the dedication, temperment, etc to stay home
full time with children, be scoutmaters and school aids, and not have
outside activities are WONDERFUL.  They have a more stressful life than
I do, they work hard.  They have all my admiration. BUT - I couldn't do it.
Does this mean that I don't love or want my kids - NO!!!!!  It just means
that I am different.
 
I wish that people wouldn't try to push their way of life on everyone else.
I like the fact that everyone is different.  It makes the world interesting.
If we were all the same, the world would be boring.
 
Also, nobody MAKES you be a scoutmaster, etc.  You chose to do this.
Don't give me grief because I choose to spend the time with my immediate
family instead of with everyone elses kids.
 
Teresa
 
Newsgroups: misc.kids