The three children outvoted the two adults, and havoc reigned. It must be run in an autocratic way, but it must also be an autocracy with a soul and a heart and with respect for its constituents. The occasional dictatorial outburst is only human and does no harm. But as a parental modus operandi, it not only doesn't work over the long haul, it doesn't instill and encourage the values children need. Someone has to be in charge and that someone should never be the child, although ideally she will feel her opinions have weight and count.
Children feel important and respected when they participate in grown-up decisions.
Pledge I pledge to help the everyone understand the value of traditional families as taught in Helen Andelin ' s All About Raising Children .